Police Canvass Neighborhood For Suspect In Fatal Durham Shooting

DURHAM, N.C. — Of the two suspects in a recent fatal shooting, only one is behind bars. Now, Durham police are on a fact-finding mission in the neighborhood where gunfire killed one man and injured three others.

Justin Perry made his first court appearance Friday morning, where a judge refused to grant the 18-year-old bail. Police say Perry and Darien Taylor took aim at four people in broad daylight Wednesday at the intersection of Gearwood and Gray avenues. One of the men later died.

Three of the four victims live in the North Durham neighborhood where the shooting happened, including Joseph Towah, who died. Neighbors are still talking about the crime, and police say that's key to getting additional information that could help them close the case.

With the help of a volunteer group, Project Safe Neighborhoods, police went door-to-door Friday handing out fliers with Taylor's picture on it.

"The folks in this neighborhood are good people," said Rob Faggart with Project Safe Neighborhoods. "They're affected by the bad people who come into their neighborhood. We want to let them know that we stand with them."

"Makes me feel good, seeing them out here doing their job," said resident David Downey. "Hope everything gets better. Hope they find him."

While most neighbors feel that way and welcome the community policing operation, some residents, like Leon Saunders, said it's too little, too late.

"Nobody is going to come out here because you got half the police force out here," said Saunders. "Why don't they come out when it's going on?"

But police said it is that skeptical mindset they are trying to change by canvassing the neighborhood for information about this crime.

"I'm certain there's somebody in this community that knows Mr. Taylor's whereabouts," said Durham Police Capt. D.C. Allen. "We're going to do all we can to solve this homicide."

Police have not said if this shooting was gang-related, but the gang unit is involved in the investigation. As for Justin Perry, who turned himself in, his next court appearance is set for July 17.