2 killed, 2 hurt during home invasion at Durham apartment complex

Authorities said officers arrived to the 1400 block of East Cornwallis Road at around 1:30 a.m. When they arrived, they found several men hurt by gunfire. Two of those men were pronounced dead at the scene.

On Monday, the two who died were identified as Elijah Hosea Everette and Aaron Michael Bailey. Both were 25 years old. Police added that the shooting didn't appear to be random.

Two other men were transported to a local hospital, according to officials. One of the men hurt was suffering from life-threatening injuries.

The shooting happened at the Cadence at RTP apartment complex, managed by a company called Campus Apartments, according to an address on the apartment complex's website. The apartment complex is around two miles away from North Carolina Central University and five miles away from Duke University.

Management of the complex informed residents in an email that the shooting began as a home invasion.

Though most of the people who live there are students at North Carolina Central University. A spokesperson with NCCU said no students were involved in the shooting.

Students there told WRAL News the violence is getting too close for comfort.

Devante Wedlock, a NC Central student was shocked to learn two people were killed not too far from where he lives.

"It’s a major concern with a home invasion being that close to me. Like three buildings over from me," said Wedlock.

Wedlock was alarmed to hear the gunfire so close to his apartment, and it put many students there on edge.

"People who are not from the area move down here to enjoy their college experience. It's like 'Wow, they’re moving into the danger zone,'" said Wedlock.

Cadence at RTP was formerly named Campus Crossing. Councilman Leonardo Williams resonates with many of these students in disbelief.

"When I was a student at NC central one of my closest friends was shot and killed at Campus Crossing. So I always had a traumatic remembrance of that location," said Williams. "We have to have a right now solution. We have to have a midterm solution. And we have to have a later solution."

He says this is a multifaceted issue.

“Overtime it has gotten a lot better, but this just brings back some pretty severe memories. What’s more bothering to me is the fact that - here we are again. Four black males. We are imploding,” said Williams.

Williams said the city is taking several approaches to tackle gun violence, working to fund new initiatives and partnering with the community to support those in need.

As increased security monitors the community traumatized by the recent event, students told WRAL News they want to see more steps to keep them safe.

"That was really close to home," said Wedlock. "Really, it could’ve been me."