‘It’s terrifying’: East Durham residents plead for safety amid gun violence

The gunfire that echoes through Yohanan Assefa’s East Durham neighborhood reminds her of the war she fled in Ethiopia.

She said she came to the United States seeking peace and safety, not to relive the trauma of violence.

“How long will the city allow the sounds of gunfire to dominate our streets as if we are in a war zone?” Assefa asked the Durham City Council on Thursday afternoon.

Assefa was one of the many East Durham residents who packed the meeting, weary of repeated gunfire and recent homicides. They demanded immediate action and the implementation of a comprehensive gun violence intervention plan that goes beyond policing.

While homicides in Durham are down this year, residents in the area of Holloway Street, North Briggs Avenue, and Lathrop Street say their neighborhood remains dangerous. They’ve filed repeated complaints with the city and the Police Department after multiple shootings, leading to District 1’s Commander, Cap. J. Cloninger, meeting with residents.

Assefa cited cities like Baltimore and Birmingham, known for their gun violence, which have been able to curb shootings by prevention and community intervention. In Baltimore, there has been a 62% drop in homicides this year.

Resident Danielle Hennis said gunshots have been “the soundtrack of our days.”

“The other night, gunshots exploded outside of our bedroom window, forcing us to roll out of bed, cower on the floor and pray that none of the bullets went through our walls,” she said. “That shooting led to one young man losing his life, and unfortunately, he is just one of too many.”

Tikeon Holloway, 20, was shot and killed on Lathrop Street on Sept. 30. Police are still investigating the case and have not announced any suspects or arrests.

Holloway is remembered by his family for his warmth, kindness and talent in the kitchen, according to his online obituary. A GoFundMe has been organized to help them with funeral expenses.

He was one of the 130 people shot in Durham so far this year, and one of the 25 who have died, according to police data.

Ties to redlining cited

Evan Lane, who has lived in the Triangle area for 20 years, has seen masked individuals jump out of cars with semi-automatic weapons and open fire down a street. His East Durham home has been struck by bullets before.

He told the City Council he lives on alert, even inside his own home.

“When I’m sick, I don’t take NyQuil or any medications at night, because one time I did and there was a homicide on the next block up,” he said. “It’s terrifying to wake up to that news, frantically grabbing at my phone to check the baby monitor to make sure stray bullets didn’t go into the room where my son is sleeping.”

Historically, the areas east and southeast of downtown Durham were redlined, or denied financial loans, insurance and adequate infrastructure due to their racial demographics. Many residents faced generations of poverty and violence as a result.

East Durham is about 54% African American, according to Best Neighborhood. Latinos make up another large portion of the community. In recent years, however, those redlined communities in East Durham, Southside, and Old North Durham have seen increased home prices and new, white residents.

Still, the same issues persist, said resident Isaac King.

He said the effects of redlining can be seen in the city’s resource allocation and are the root issue of gun violence. He told the council members that residents weren’t asking for “increased police patrols.”

“We’re demanding the allocation of resources for violence and intervention programs, dedicated youth outreach and community-based intervention strategies,” he said.

2 gun violence programs ended

Mayor Leo Williams told residents to continue calling 911, even if that action alone won’t solve the problem.

“It’s a nightmare,” Williams said. “I know that there is some elevated monitoring going on in the neighborhood, but please make sure you call [911] not one, [but] every single time.”

In recent years the city has tried and ended programs like ShotSpotter, a gunshot surveillance program that a report found got police to possible shootings more quickly but did not show evidence of reducing violence. The program also had generated concerns about overpolicing in Black and brown neighborhoods.

The county also disbanded Bull City United, the violence interruption team that worked to defuse neighborhood tensions and prevent retaliatory shootings, after several of its members were arrested for drug and other crimes. The city had helped fund that program and expand it.

Williams said next Wednesday, city and county leaders will discuss a “holistic” plan to address gun violence and encouraged residents to tune in.

This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 8:37 AM.

Kristen Johnson

The News & Observer

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Kristen Johnson is a local government reporter covering Durham for The News & Observer. She previously covered Cary and western Wake County. Prior to coming home to the Triangle, she reported for The Fayetteville Observer and spent time covering politics and culture in Washington, D.C. She is an alumna of UNC at Charlotte and American University.