DURHAM, N.C. — A Duke University employee was grazed by what appears to be a stray bullet Thursday afternoon while standing outside the West Edens Link dormitory on West Campus.

According to Lt. Davis Trimmer of Duke Police, the employee was standing on a terrace outside Rick's Diner in the West Edens Link about 2:45 p.m., discussing a building project with several other people. A bullet grazed his hand.

He was taken to Duke Hospital for treatment but was not expected to be kept overnight.

Trimmer said several people reported hearing a popping noise right before the employee was struck.

A hole in an awning above where the employee was standing indicates a bullet may have been fired randomly up in the air from the Duke University Road or N.C. 751 area and landed next to the dorm, Trimmer said.

Police recovered a bullet at the scene, Trimmer said.

Police searched the area but did not locate anyone with a gun.

An investigation into the incident is continuing. Duke Police asks anyone with information about the shooting to call the department at 684-2444.