An overnight encounter between Durham police and individuals involved in reported car racing ended with an officer shooting an armed suspect, authorities say. According to the CBS17, officers responded to the 4700 block of Hope Valley Road just after midnight today following 911 calls about "car club" racing. Police stated that objects were thrown at an officer who arrived to disperse the crowd, leading to a confrontation and a subsequent brief chase.
During the pursuit, "the suspect pulled out a gun and refused to drop the weapon after repeated calls by the officer to do so," as described in a news release from the Durham Police Department. The suspect, after raising the handgun, "was shot by the officer" according to reports by CBS17. The individual then continued to flee, entering a vehicle with several other people.
A second officer stopped the car based on its description and attended to the wounded suspect until EMS crews arrived, relayed WRAL. Currently, the suspect is hospitalized and in stable condition. No officers were injured during the incident, and the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative duty, which adheres to standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
Following the incident, Durham Police Chief Andrews held a press conference, pointing out that more details regarding the suspect would be disclosed tomorrow morning. The exact number of shots fired remains uncertain. In charge of investigating the shooting are the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Durham Police Department Standards Division, as confirmed by WRAL. A preliminary report from the SBI is anticipated to be released by the end of the week.
News of the shooting prompted an immediate notice from the Durham Police Department urging the public to avoid the area. Details of the confrontation and its aftermath were subsequently shared on their official Facebook page, alongside the alert, stressing the active nature of the ongoing investigation. The department promised more information would follow soon, as noted in their social media statement.
