DA rules on Durham cop who shot 16-year-old at illegal street-racing event
A Durham police corporal who shot an armed 16-year-old at Woodcroft Shopping Center in November will not be charged with a crime, the Durham County district attorney has told multiple media outlets.
Cpl. Rex McQueen was responding to illegal racing in the area when he shot at the teenager six times. Police said the boy had thrown eggs at his patrol car and brandished a gun at the officer during a chase.
Police Chief Patrice Andrews said McQueen told the teenager to drop his gun five times before shooting him. The teenager was struck twice and received medical attention from police until paramedics arrived and took him to a hospital.
According to a WRAL report, the State Bureau of Investigation concluded that McQueen’s actions were “not excessive under the circumstances.” The SBI reviewed body camera footage of the incident, 911 calls, and radio transmissions.
Satana Deberry, the district attorney, based the decision not to file charges against McQueen on the SBI’s findings, media outlets reported this week. (The News and Observer also contacted Deberry’s office but had not heard back as of Wednesday morning.)
Deberry wrote a letter to Andrews saying that McQueen’s use of deadly force was “reasonably necessary” and that the officer feared he was in imminent danger after the teenager pointed a gun at him, according to a CBS17 report.
The handgun was recovered by police, who charged the teenager with assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, possession of a handgun by a minor and resisting an officer.
McQueen has worked for the Durham Police Department since 2006 and was wearing a body camera at the time of the incident.
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 11:48 AM.