Officer told 16-year-old to drop gun 5 times before shooting him, Durham police say
A Durham police corporal ordered a 16-year-old male to drop a firearm five times before shooting him twice, showing “no violation” of policy, Chief Patrice Andrews told the media Thursday.
Cpl. Rex McQueen fired roughly six times at the teen after he reportedly threw eggs at his patrol car while the officer tried to break up a car race early Sunday.
Andrews said the teen brandished the gun after a short foot chase, and the officer reluctantly fired, even referring to the teen suspect as “Son” during their confrontation.
”It was almost as though he was very disappointed he had to use the force he did,” Andrews said. “I have not observed any violation of Durham Police Department policy governing the use of force, governing officer-involved shootings.”
Andrews, having watched body camera footage, said McQueen was grossly outnumbered at the scene and attempted to disperse the crowd while in his car.
The egg-throwing escalated things, leading to the chase.
”A 16-year-old made the very adult decision to carry a firearm, to possess a firearm,” she said, “and then made the adult decision to point that firearm at an officer.
”This speaks volumes to where we are as a society today,” she continued. “These juveniles have little respect for authority and we have to do better.”
Police body cam video of the shooting
The suspect was shot twice, but Andrews stressed he was not struck in the back, contrary to online rumors. She declined to elaborate on his injuries.
Andrews said Durham police are committed to transparency but will not release the footage unless media companies obtain a court order.
She said her department would feel a strain on its legal staff if it released the video itself.
”It’s not because we want to be difficult,” she said.
What led to Durham police shooting the teen
Early Sunday morning, Durham police responded to reports of cars racing near the Woodcroft Shopping Center off Hope Valley Road. Someone had called 911 to report a “car club” meeting in the area past midnight.
Police later reported that McQueen arrived on the scene and tried to break up the crowd, but someone threw “objects” at him and his car, prompting a chase with a 16-year-old suspect.
After a short pursuit on foot, police said, the teen suspect pulled out a gun and pointed it at the officer, refusing multiple orders to drop it.
The teen, shot twice by police, escaped into a car that came to collect him but was soon stopped by another officer. Police gave medical aid to the injured teen until emergency crews arrived to take him to a hospital, where he remained in stable condition.
The handgun was recovered as evidence, and the teen was charged via juvenile petition with assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, possession of a handgun by a minor and resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer, according to police.
McQueen is an 18-year veteran of Durham police and was wearing a body camera throughout the shooting.
Andrews said Thursday that Durham police did not respond to Sunday’s racing complaint as an indictment of car clubs who operate safely.
”What happened Saturday night was an exhibition of lawlessness,” she said.
The State Bureau of Investigation continues to look into the shooting while the officer remains on leave.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published November 21, 2024 at 11:54 AM.