5-year-old killed, 15-year-old seriously injured in shooting at home in Durham
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A 5-year-old was killed and a 15-year-old is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries following a shooting at a home in Durham.
Durham Police Department (DPD) said both shooting victims were girls. On Wednesday evening, the investigation at the scene stretched into its ninth hour.
Investigators said a man is in custody in the case but has not been charged with any specific crimes. DPD did not explain what investigators think happened or how the man is connected to the case.
DPD said they first received a call about an overdose shortly before 2 p.m. at the home in the 300 block of North Guthrie Avenue near Taylor Street, about five minutes from downtown Durham.
Several police units responded. Officers roped off the area in order to investigate.
Police said this appears to be an isolated incident that remains under active investigation. Investigators were seen taking photos and carrying bags of evidence throughout the evening.
Neighbors and even the city at large remained in agony through the evening trying to digest this latest tragedy in the Bull City.
"Oh my God... everyone with a child should be up in arms," said Marcella Thompson.
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Thompson has dedicated her life to helping Durham's children, feeding underserved communities throughout the city.
"Something has to be done."
Her Mustard Seed Project has fed underserved areas for years. Now, she is seeking a sponsor in hopes of bringing trucks that have an ice cream jingle on them into apartment communities. It's not necessarily for ice cream but to deliver meals to children who struggle with food insecurity.
"When you have the money to start the program, and you don't, it tells me you don't care about most of North Carolina's children," Thompson said. "Educate your population so that they get can some of the benefits. And if you live in certain communities, there are no parks you can go to, no summer programs, no free summer camp."
She wants to start with 1,000 children a day, distributing hot and cold boxes of food.
"Something has to be done so we value all of our children ...all of our citizens," Thompson said. "Doesn't matter what skin color you are; children are children."
What led up to the discovery of the victims remained a mystery late Wednesday evening.
No one seemed to hear the gunshots. Questions remained about where the shootings actually took place.
