A fight over a handicap parking space in Durham ended with an elderly man in critical condition at a hospital on Wednesday after he suffered head trauma in the confrontation. The incident unfolded in the 100 block of William Penn Plaza, where a dispute over the reserved spot escalated into violence.
According to WRAL, officers were called to the area Wednesday evening for a reported assault and found a man who had struck his head on the ground. Investigators described the victim as "elderly" and said he was taken to a hospital with critical injuries. WRAL reports that a suspect was detained for questioning while detectives work to piece together what led up to the altercation.
Police response
The Durham Police Department confirmed officers responded to the scene and that the case remains an active investigation. The department lists contact information on its website for community members who want to report tips or reach out with questions, and anyone with information about the incident can contact the Durham Police Department.
Legal context
Durham’s municipal code makes it illegal to park in spaces designated for handicapped persons without a valid placard or license plate, rules designed to protect access for people with mobility needs (Durham code). Unauthorized use of accessible stalls is prohibited under both local regulations and state law, and similar disputes over who can use those spaces have, in other places, boiled over into serious confrontations.
Under North Carolina law, assaults that cause serious bodily injury, as well as assaults on people with disabilities, can be charged as felonies, which could factor into any charges prosecutors ultimately consider in this case (North Carolina law).
Police say the investigation is ongoing and have not released further details. This story will be updated as officials share more information.
