10 people, including 3 children, shot in Durham. ‘There is no excuse,’ says police chief.

Ten people, including three children, were injured in two overnight shooting incidents in Durham.

“Sadly this morning our community awoke after another night of senseless violence that has forever changed the lives of multiple victims and families,” Police Chief C.J. Davis said during a press conference Wednesday. “There is no excuse nor justification for such horrible acts against these members of our community.”

Officers were sent around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to South Benjamine Street where eight people, including two children, ages 3 and 8, were shot, Davis said.

A group had gathered for a party when a black car, possibly a Chevrolet Impala, passed and someone fired at those hanging out in front of the house, Davis said.

Police found one adult and the two children who had been shot, but another five adults with gunshot wounds arrived at local hospitals on their own, according to a news release.

Officers later responded to a call from the Cornwallis Road public housing community on East Weaver Street around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. There they found a 12-year-old and an adult who had been shot, the release stated.

“It is believed that an exchange of gunfire occurred between two groups of people who are unknown at this time,” Davis said.

A bullet entered a second-floor apartment striking the 12-year-old, who is hospitalized in critical condition, the chief said.

Neighbors told WRAL the boy was shot in the head.

Police don’t know if the two incidents are related, Davis said, and there were no suspects as of Wednesday afternoon.

“As a community, we grieve with the victims and their families,” Davis said. “However, we as a community must also stand together to prevent these egregious acts of gun violence from happening to others.”

Davis implored community members to speak up and those involved in local shootings to find common ground.

“And make a truce to cease this back-and-forth gunfire,” she said. “Think of the innocent victims impacted by your actions. There are children our community whose lives will never be the same.”

Police haven’t confirmed that gang members were involved in the latest shootings, but Davis said the incidents are characteristic of gang activity.

Last August, Davis and others made similar statements after a drive-by shooting killed 9-year-old Z’Yon Person as his aunt drove six children to get snow cones, The News & Observer reported. Z’Yon’s 8-year-old cousin was shot in the arm.

How to address violent crime

The incident heightened an ongoing debate on how to address violent crime in Durham. Some City Council members have supported hiring more officers. Others have maintained more officers aren’t needed and wouldn’t address the issues or have been able to stop Z’Yon’s shooting.

In March, the City Council approved six new positions for the Police Department’s gang unit to help investigate shootings tied to a small group of people who are repeatedly arrested, Davis said then.

“Those individuals have been very busy throughout our city,” she said.

There were 418 reported shootings, and 120 people shot in Durham as of June 27. Last year at that time, there were 315 shootings in which 80 people had been shot.

In general, the coronavirus pandemic has aggravated tensions and created an environment where shootings are “quite prevalent,” Davis said.

Mayor Steve Schewel expressed sorrow and outrage about people who would shoot into a party or gathering and bring gun violence into the community.

“We had last night a terrible night, a tragic night in the city of Durham,” Schewel said at Wednesday’s news conference.

In order to help stop it, they need witnesses to come forward, he said.

‘I got on my knees and prayed’

Residents in the Cornwallis complex said the Wednesday morning shooting is just the latest incident that has left families worried about them and their children getting shot.

Connie Clayton, 46, said when he got home early Wednesday morning, he saw people standing outside the apartment where the shooting occurred.

“They were arguing about something,” and he heard the gunshots about 10 to 14 minutes later, he said.

Xavier McNeil, 18, who lives across the street, also heard the gunshots.

“I just got on my knees and prayed,” said McNeil, who was at home with three of his younger siblings. ”Don’t let nothing happen to my brother and sisters.”

Dakita Best, 23, said she constantly worries about children playing outside getting shot.

“I feel unsafe in this community,” said Best, who has a 2-year-old and takes care of her 15-year-old brother.

Police ask anyone with information about the shootings to call CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felonies, and callers never have to identify themselves.

This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 8:15 AM.