Durham police: Man in crashed car shot to death

Durham, N.C. — A Durham man was fatally shot before his car crashed into a tree and caught on fire Thursday afternoon, police said.

Officers found Antoine Quinton Alston, 27, dead in the driver's seat of the crashed car near Abercromby Drive and Yorktown Avenue around 2:30 p.m. A passenger was also shot and ran to a nearby apartment complex for help, police said. He was treated and released from Duke Hospital.

Relatives, including Alston's parents, cried and comforted each other at the scene of his death. Family members said his brother was also shot to death four years ago.

"She's already lost one son, and now she's lost another one," his cousin, Angela Reams, said. "We're very heartbroken."

Neighbors said they heard five quick shots, a pause, and then one final shot. Officers canvassed the neighborhood and searched with K-9 units, but no suspects have been named in the case.

"There's no indication at this point that this was a random act," Police Chief Jose Lopez said. "We are trying to piece together all the information that we have, all the stories that we have, and try to come to the facts of the case and identify who is responsible for this."

Anyone with information is asked to Durham police at 919-560-4440, extension 29320 or Crime Stoppers at 191-683-1200. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for anonymous tips that solve crimes.

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if the shooter thought the victim had a gun he would have been running away like the 2 "good boys"s the old guy shot in the internet gambling robbery. It's liberals in Durham that has the crime / gang ration so high. If we were in danger together and I had my LEGAL concealed weapon candy pants would so close behind me I coudn't break wind for them.

eddiecooke
July 20, 2012 5:11 p.m.

I feel sorry for the victims' family, but given the location and history, more than likely this was a drug related hit.

udoowutchyalike
July 20, 2012 4:18 p.m.

Would you rather be caught in a gun fight with or without a gun for defense. I know my answer...

awr117
July 20, 2012 3:37 p.m.

yeah, he could have shot wildly out of a moving car and maybe killed a child or someone's mother, we'll never know will we. Just because a gun was used doesn't mean another gun at the scene could or would have changed the outcome in any way. If the shooter got the drop on the driver, there wasn't anything they could do before the shots were fired. This is a sad story and there is so much more to it than we have heard so far. dwntwnboy =============================

You would have thought this didn't need to be said, but................... well put.

Bartmeister
July 20, 2012 1:35 p.m.

"if this man had been allowed to carry a concealed weapon and shoot back from the car while he was driving, this incident might have a much different ending"- yeah, he could have shot wildly out of a moving car and maybe killed a child or someone's mother, we'll never know will we. Just because a gun was used doesn't mean another gun at the scene could or would have changed the outcome in any way. If the shooter got the drop on the driver, there wasn't anything they could do before the shots were fired. This is a sad story and there is so much more to it than we have heard so far.