Durham Officer Wounded After Responding to Break-In Call

Durham, N.C. — A Durham police officer was shot in the arm and back while responding to a break-in call Sunday night, according to police spokeswoman Kammie Michael.

Officer D.B. Vereen was responding to a break-in in progress at 1410 Cherrycrest Drive, Apartment A, shortly after 9 p.m. when he confronted two men at the back of the residence. One of the suspects shot Vereen in the arm and back, authorities said.

Authorities said Vereen was wearing a bulletproof vest. He was treated and released from Duke University Hospital Monday morning.

Police are looking for two suspects. One suspect is described as a black male with a medium complexion in his late teens or early 20s. He had short hair and was wearing a long white T-shirt and blue jeans. A second suspect is described as a black male with cornrows or dreadlocks and wearing a black T-shirt.

Police said the two men may have fled the scene in a silver Nissan Maxima or a silver Chrysler Sebring.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Durham police at 919-560-4582, ext. 289 or Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases, and callers never have to identify themselves.