A car crashed into a beloved Durham bookshop after a weekend shooting, police say
An East Durham business is closed for repairs after a car crashed into it during a weekend shooting.
A man was hospitalized with a gunshot wound after police officers found the car lodged inside the Rofhiwa Book Cafe around 9 p.m. Friday, while responding to a ShotSpotter alert of gunshots in the area.
The man had non-life-threatening injuries, a police spokesperson said in an email.
The shooting victim was a passenger in the car, police said, and the driver had fled the scene before they arrived. Police reported finding him later and said he had not been shot.
“This remains an active investigation and no further details are available at this time,” the police spokesperson said Monday.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to arrests and callers can remain anonymous.
How to help
Beverley Makhubule, co-owner of Rofhiwa, was on site Monday morning directing repairs.
The independent Black-owned bookstore and coffee shop opened two years ago at 406 S. Driver St., in a blossoming commercial district east of downtown.
Some of the bookstore’s glass windows are shattered, and there may be structural damage. The car took out a crosswalk signal and a city crew was on-site Monday morning making electrical repairs.
Makhubule said the closure could extend a few months, depending on how severe the breaks and cracks in the structure are found to be. They rent the space, which is insured by the building owner.
Rofhiwa will continue selling books online and the ownership team is pivoting its three barista-booksellers to remote work. Makhubule encourages folks wanting to lend a hand to visit their website, rofhiwabooks.com.
“We obviously intend to keep our employees paid as long as we can,” Makhubule said. “That would really be incredibly supportive in terms of keeping our folks working.”
A fellow business owner helped Rofhiwa start a GoFundMe on Monday.
The incident was not targeted at Rofhiwa, Makhubule said.
“I know that some folks were concerned about that,” they said. “It was truly just a misfortune.”
‘I love us ... Especially when we are hurting’
Makhubule, who is in the process of opening a second business down the street with the same ownership team, left a thoughtful message on social media Sunday morning.
“(Friday) night was regrettable and difficult. And these things seldom happen apart from the myriad socio-political circumstances that converge upon and animate the lives of Black folk the world over,” they wrote. “That is regrettable and difficult too.”
“I ask that we uplift in our hearts, the lives of the young people who were harmed and possibly injured last night. May their ancestors bless and preserve them,” Makhubule continued.
Makhubule said they were not hurt and thanked the community for its outpouring of love.
“I would extend my deepest and heartfelt gratitude to the folks in East Durham, who were among the first to respond. Thank you for sitting on the deck with me, offering food, drink, words, hugs, and help into the night,” Makhubule said.
“I love us. I love this neighborhood. I love us when we are joyful and dancing and hurting. Especially when we are hurting. This neighborhood is full of life and overflowing with love. And that is a thing for which I remain grateful.”
This story was originally published July 24, 2023 at 4:50 PM.
