Durham officer shoots 16-year-old who allegedly raised gun at him
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- (UPDATE): Investigators are charging the suspect via juvenile petition with assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer; possession of a handgun by a minor; and resist, delay, or obstruct a public officer.
The suspect is a 16-year-old boy, the Durham Police Department confirmed.
Below is a previous report.
A Durham officer shot a person after they allegedly raised a gun at him Sunday morning.
It happened just after midnight. Durham Police Department officers responded to a 911 call about a "car club" racing in the 4700 block of Hope Valley Road.
According to authorities, an officer arrived on the scene to get people to leave, but objects were thrown at him and his vehicle. The officer then got out of his car to confront the person, and a brief foot pursuit happened.
The suspect then pulled out a handgun and refused to drop it despite being told several times to. When they raised the weapon, the officer shot them.
According to the DPD, the suspect entered a vehicle with others and fled.
WATCH | DPD to give update on Durham shooting involving officer, teen
A description of the car was broadcast over the radio. Another officer later stopped that vehicle, and the suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment.
ABC11 obtained security video from a business in the shopping center that provided a glimpse into the overnight police shooting. In that video, you can clearly hear the sounds of revving engines and tires screeching around 12:08 am, which is when Durham Police said they first responded to the scene. A few minutes later, you see several cars peel out of the shopping center, followed by multiple people appearing to run away on foot. A few minutes after that, more police sirens are audible. At no point can gunfire be heard clearly.
During an early morning press conference, Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews said more information about the suspect, including age, gender, and possibly name, will be shared on Monday.
Watch the full news conference on the Durham officer-involved shooting
No Durham officers were injured in the incident. The officer involved was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
ABC11 also spoke with a family member of the person shot, who said he is a 16-year-old boy and does not live in Durham. The family member said he remains in the hospital.
"This is very quiet. Everybody here in this shopping plaza is normally nice. And, you know, and to come here on a Sunday morning, early Sunday morning, it's like not expected at all," said Brenda Hackworth, a Durham resident who shops at Woodcroft Shopping Center every Sunday.
Hackworth said she was stunned to see the large police presence when she arrived there Sunday morning.
"Durham is a great place to live," she said. "The crime is kind of iffy. But however, you know, I think the people here are doing their best to get things under control."
