Man arrested in Durham officer-involved shooting

Police said Syron Deshon Townsend, 28, fired shots at an officer during a foot chase at about 11:30 p.m. on Sima Avenue in the McDougald Terrace housing community. Officers were questioning the man when he started to run and fired shots in the direction of one officer, police said.

Townsend was arrested in Burlington by members of the U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, injury to property, second-degree trespassing, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, going armed to the terror of the public, discharging a firearm within city limits, and resisting arrest.

He also faces three counts of assault with a deadly weapon for firing shots into an occupied apartment.

Durham police said tips from the public led to Townsend’s arrest.

“We were able to identify a suspect in this case as a result of crucial information provided to use by residents. We are grateful for their assistance,” said Interim Durham Police Chief Larry Smith.

Police said that Townsend is also facing additional charges from 2014 and 2015 including assault on a female, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, robbery with a dangerous weapon and intimidating a witness.