Durham father mourns the loss of two sons to gun violence

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Abdul Burnette is grieving after his son was shot and killed in Durham on Wednesday.

Durham Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting at the Village Shopping Center on North Miami Boulevard, where they said Abdul-Jalil Burnette, 28, was found injured and taken to a hospital where he died. Police said the suspect fled the scene.

"This is the second son in less than two months," Burnette said. "It's devastating, it's mind-blowing, it's hurting me."

Burnette lost another son to gun violence in August.

Suliman Burnette, 18, was shot and killed at the SureStay Plus by Best Western Hotel on Hillsborough Road while visiting family. A 17-year-old is facing charges in connection with his death.

Burnette said Suliman and Abdul-Jalil are brothers. Eyewitness News reached out to Durham Police for more information.

The two separate shooting incidents come as the number of fatal shootings and young people shot in Durham have increased from last year.

As of October 11, there have been 425 shootings. 24 of the shooting victims are under the age of 18, according to Durham Police.

"I have to think about two sons being killed in the City of Durham due to gun violence," Burnette said. "The community has to stand together to stop the gun violence."

Burnette started the group, "Dads Against Gun Violence," last month.

He's remembering his oldest son as a smiling, laughing, young man.

"I'm not going to be able to see my oldest son again," Burnette said.