Police: Man pulled gun on Durham officers before deadly shooting

Thursday, February 16, 2017
Emotional day in Durham as man is shot by officers
Durham Police said officers fired after a suspect pulled a gun during a foot chase.

DURHAM, North Carolina (WTVD) -- Emotions were high and the tension was palpable Wednesday afternoon as neighbors hovered near crime scene tape blocking off the 2500 block of Glenbrook Drive in Durham.

Many shouted at police officers as they covered the body of a suspect they were there to arrest.

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In a news conference, Durham Police Chief C.J. Davis said the man ran from a house on Glenbrook Drive after three officers attempted to serve a warrant for the man's arrest around 2:20 p.m. They were chasing him on foot when the man pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the officers. Officers pulled their guns and fired.

"We would like to express our concern and condolences to all involved. Any loss of life is always a tragic event," said Davis.

WATCH: DPD issues statement on shooting

DPD Chief C.J. Davis discusses officer-involved shooting.

The Durham Police Department has not identified the dead man. The Associated Press reported Carlos Cates, 22, said he was his half-brother, 24-year-old Kenneth Bailey Jr.

Kenneth Bailey Jr.
image courtesy Durham Police Department (2014)

A gun was found next to the suspect, Davis said. It did not belong to Durham police. The gun was reported stolen in Dec. 2016, Davis said.

"I was sitting in my chair, I heard one small pop, I heard a large bang," said William Smith, who lives next to the home where the suspect ran from and across the street where the suspect was killed.

When he heard the noise, he went outside, took out his cell phone and hit record, capturing the aftermath. He said it seemed as though Bailey was complying with police when he fell to the ground, but then realized he may have just been falling after being shot.

"They cuffed him, they turned him over and they immediately started doing CPR," Smith said.

He said he only knew Bailey from when he visited his cousins living next door.

"I've never known the gentleman to carry a weapon. He's been around the neighborhood. He's respectful. He's always been respectful to me, and the neighborhood, so I don't know him to be of any criminal activity not in this area here," Smith said.

In 2016, Bailey was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony conspiracy. Officers were serving a warrant issued for his violation of pre-trial arrest conditions.

Bailey was also the subject of an ABC11 story in 2014 where he was allegedly involved in a chase and carjacking

Bailey was also facing indictment for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Smith said Bailey's parents arrived on scene about 20 minutes after the shooting. He said he didn't know about any of Bailey's criminal history but noted that doesn't really take away from the family's pain.

"I feel for his mother, she stood out here and the blanket blew up a couple of times and she saw her son," Smith said.

The three officers involved were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.

The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. Police plan to release a five-day report.

Family members said Bailey is a father of one.

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