A man is dead and another person is in custody after a Thursday afternoon shooting at Randy's Pizza on South Miami Boulevard in south Durham, according to police. Officers swarmed the strip-mall shop around 4:45 p.m., taping off the busy parking lot as detectives moved in to process the scene. Authorities have not yet identified the victim or said what will happen to the person they detained.
One Dead, One In Custody
Durham officers responded to the shopping center shortly before 5 p.m. and found a man who was later pronounced dead inside the restaurant, WRAL reports. One individual at the scene was taken into custody. Witnesses and nearby workers described a flood of squad cars crowding the lot as officers moved quickly to lock down the area. As of the latest update, investigators had not publicly discussed how the victim was killed or whether any criminal charges are on the table.
Where It Happened
The shooting took place at the Randy's Pizza location on South Miami Boulevard, which the chain lists on its RTP page at Randy's Pizza, at 5311 S. Miami Blvd. The restaurant sits along a heavily traveled commercial strip near T.W. Alexander Drive, where nearby shoppers and employees said the sudden show of sirens and flashing lights was hard to miss. People lingering at the edges of the police tape watched as officers photographed the area, bagged evidence and spoke with shaken onlookers.
Investigation Ongoing
Police have not released the victim's name, a possible motive or any indication of what led up to the gunfire, according to WRAL. Detectives remained at the shopping center into the evening, continuing interviews and combing over the lot. Officials have also not said whether this shooting is believed to be tied to any other recent trouble along South Miami Boulevard.
Community Context
South Miami Boulevard has been on edge in recent weeks. The same corridor saw a bullet-riddled sedan discovered earlier this month, an incident that also pulled in a large police response. That string of violence has rattled workers and shoppers and drawn extra attention from local officials and law enforcement, according to local coverage. Residents said Thursday's deadly shooting only deepened their worries about safety in the busy commercial stretch.
Legal Status
Having someone in custody does not automatically mean that person will be charged. Prosecutors typically review reports, witness interviews and other evidence gathered by police before deciding whether to file formal charges, guidance from Harvard Law School explains. If charges are ultimately brought in this case, they will appear in court records and be announced by the Durham County District Attorney's Office.
