A Durham father was shot and killed Monday afternoon while trying to break up a fight between two teenagers at an East Durham apartment complex, according to police. Officers identified the victim as 34-year-old Gary Tharrington Jr., and a 14-year-old boy was taken into custody hours after the shooting. Neighbors say the violence followed another shooting on the same block earlier in the day, leaving the community rattled and on edge.
Deadly Afternoon Outside Hoover Road Apartments
The gunfire erupted around 2:15 p.m. Monday in the 1100 block of South Hoover Road near Angier Avenue, where officers found Tharrington suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to The News & Observer. He was rushed to a hospital and later pronounced dead. Police say the teenage suspect who fired the shots ran from the scene but was tracked down and taken into custody several hours later, per WRAL.
Police Say Community Tips Helped Find Suspect
Durham police credited residents with helping close in on the teen. Information from community members was instrumental in locating and detaining the juvenile suspect, and because he is a minor, officers say they will not release his name, according to WPTF. Investigators are still processing evidence at the scene and have asked anyone with information to contact Investigator J. Turner at 919-560-4440 ext. 29532 or submit anonymous tips to Durham CrimeStoppers.
Neighbors Mourn and Remember Tharrington
Neighbors describe Tharrington as a devoted father who stepped in to protect kids and paid with his life. After the shots rang out, his children ran to a nearby home for safety, one witness told reporters, adding simply, “It was shocking,” according to ABC11. Local coverage also noted that Tharrington worked as a mechanic, a detail reported by Charlotte Alerts News.
What Happens Next In A Juvenile Case
Because the suspect is under 18, prosecutors will decide what charges to file and whether the case stays in juvenile court or is moved to adult court. Court dockets and booking records will reflect any new filings or upcoming hearing dates, Durham teen busted in stepfather shooting notes. That outlet also points readers to the Durham County Sheriff’s online booking tool for updates on the teen’s custody status as prosecutors review the case.
The investigation remains active, and police have repeated their call for tips as residents grapple with two shootings on Hoover Road in a 24-hour span. Local outlets have highlighted a worrying number of youth-involved shootings in Durham this year. Anyone with information is again urged to contact Investigator J. Turner or Durham CrimeStoppers, and officials have thanked neighbors whose tips helped lead officers to the teen suspect, according to WPTF.
