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Guns, bullet fragments taken from home of slain ex-firefighter

Investigators seized nine firearms and two bullet fragments from the home of a retired Durham firefighter who was found dead last month, according to a search warrant.

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Donald Watson
DURHAM, N.C. — Investigators seized nine firearms and two bullet fragments from the home of a retired Durham firefighter who was found dead last month, according to a search warrant.

Donald Watson, 74, was found at 4424 Regis Ave. on July 9. Police have called the case a homicide but haven't released details about how he died, a possible motive or leads on potential suspects.

A caller to 911 described a bloody scene inside the home, saying Watson's face was covered in blood. But the caller was unsure whether Watson had been attacked or had simply collapsed and hit a bookcase, saying there was shattered glass on the floor near his body.

In addition to the weapons and bullet fragments, police pulled up a section of wood flooring and took fragments of broken glass, pieces of pottery, candlesticks, a set of false teeth, a check book, a cellphone and an answering machine.

Watson worked for the Durham Fire Department from 1959 to 1992, retiring as a fire captain. He later operated a towing service.

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