Man killed near Duke University is the third homicide victim in Durham in a week

A man was fatally shot near Duke University on Saturday evening, the city’s third fatal shooting in a week.

Police responded around 5 p.m. Saturday to a call on Rutherford Street, where they found 45-year-old Ander Thomas Nelson Jr. lying outside shot.

He was taken to the hospital, where he died, police said in a news release Monday.

The incident does not seem to be random, the release stated.

No charges have been filed in Nelson’s death.

Police ask anyone with information to call 919-560-4440, ext. 29529 or CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.

Two teens killed earlier in week

Police continue investigating the two earlier homicides last week.

▪ Last Monday, Joshua Garner, 18, of Durham, was found dead in a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix at Kirby Street and Chowan Avenue.

Garner was a student at Hillside High School scheduled to graduate with the class of 2021, a spokesman for Durham Public Schools confirmed.

▪ On April 3, Ian Wells, 15, from Person County, was fatally shot near the intersection of Alston and Angier avenues.

Durham has had at least nine homicides this year so far, according to the Durham Police Department.

As of April 3, there had been 176 reported shooting incidents and a total of 59 people shot, according to police.

This story was originally published April 12, 2021 at 2:44 PM.