Just after midnight, the 700 block of South Alston Avenue outside a Durham smoke shop turned into a taped-off crime scene as officers found the roadway littered with spent shell casings. Forensics technicians dropped a trail of bright evidence markers across the asphalt while officers photographed and collected the ballistic evidence. Durham police have opened an investigation and, as of early Sunday, had not announced any injuries or arrests tied to the gunfire.
What investigators found
According to CBS17, officers responding around midnight found dozens of spent cartridge casings scattered along the 700 block of South Alston Avenue near the smoke shop. Evidence markers were laid out across the street as ballistics teams worked into the early morning hours. The station reported that it reached out to the Durham Police Department for comment, and images from the scene showed members of the department's forensics unit documenting the area.
South Alston's recent violence
The South Alston corridor has been hit by repeated gun violence in recent months. WRAL reported a fatal shooting in mid-February on the 600 block of South Alston Avenue. According to that report, police asked anyone with video or information about the earlier incident to call Durham's tip line at 919-560-4440 or CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200.
Business and neighborhood concerns
Local coverage has highlighted mounting frustration from business owners and residents who say recurring scenes of gunfire are disrupting daily life along the corridor. Earlier reporting on the February shooting, including calls for more police follow-up and community tips, appeared in coverage of a Durham boy gunned down near gas station.
Investigation ongoing
For now, investigators are still processing evidence from the latest scene and canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance footage as they work to build a timeline of events. The Durham Police Department lists contact options and updates for active investigations while officers follow up on leads from the South Alston shooting.
