Mother's Day brunch at the Silver Spoon in north Durham took a terrifying turn Sunday when police rushed the popular neighborhood spot after what customers described as an argument that ended with a gunshot inside the restaurant.
Officers arrived at the Silver Spoon on North Roxboro Road before 11:45 a.m., where yellow police tape and multiple Durham Police vehicles quickly transformed the usually laid-back eatery into an active crime scene.
According to WRAL, a customer reported that an argument broke out between two people inside and "one shot the other." Another diner told the station he had to dart back inside during the chaos because his wife left her purse behind in the scramble to get out. WRAL said it was still working to confirm whether anyone was hurt.
Durham Shooting Trends
The incident lands in the middle of a year that has already seen troubling gun violence numbers in Durham. Per the Durham Police Department's year-to-date update through April 25, 2026, the city recorded 157 shootings and 62 people shot so far this year, including 10 fatalities. Durham Police Department shooting data shows the number of people shot has risen compared with 2025.
Local coverage has also detailed other restaurant incidents, including the Randy's Pizza shooting in February, which rattled diners in another neighborhood staple.
What Witnesses Said
Customers described a restaurant that went from celebratory to chaotic in seconds. Diners bolted for the exits after staff told everyone to evacuate, with some leaving belongings behind in their rush to get out.
Photos published by WRAL show officers taping off the area outside Silver Spoon as onlookers gathered at the edge of the scene. The customer who spoke with the station repeated that "there was an argument between two people and one shot the other." Officials had not released details about injuries, suspects, or arrests at the time of the report.
The Restaurant
Silver Spoon is a longstanding diner on North Roxboro Road, known for its hearty breakfasts, bottomless coffee, and reliably packed Sunday brunch crowd. It is the kind of place locals bring out-of-town family to show off a slice of everyday Durham, not the kind of place anyone expects to see crime-scene tape.
Anyone with information can submit anonymous tips to Durham Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200. This story will be updated as officials release more details.
