Durham authorities investigate 3 shootings in 24 hours

Authorities are investigating three separate shootings in Durham since Wednesday night that left one person dead and three others wounded.

Posted 5:57 p.m. Nov 17, 2017 — Updated 1:55 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. — Authorities are investigating three separate shootings in Durham since Wednesday night that left one person dead and three others wounded.

The latest shooting happened Thursday night on Dallas Street when a man and woman were shot and a woman was arrested during a home invasion attempt. Authorities said the man was shot multiple times, and the woman was shot in the back. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries, which police said were said to be serious.

"Someone was trying to break into my house," a man told a 911 dispatcher. "I fired shots."

A woman can be heard screaming in the background of the recorded 911 call as the homeowner talks with the dispatcher. He said he saw four or five people outside his house, and the others "scattered" after he opened fire.

In a written statement, police said the homeowner opened fire then someone tried to kick in his door. A female burglary suspect was shot in the back and a male burglary suspect was shot several times.

A third woman, identified as Alexis Shaw, 17, was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary. Police said she was being held Friday at the Durham County Jail in lieu of a $510,000 bond. Police said burglary charges were pending against the two other teen suspects who were injured during the incident. Their identities were not released.

Earlier, a man was shot at an apartment complex on Old Chapel Hill Road. The man, who was not identified, is expected to survive.

Jonathan Alejandro Morales was arrested and charged with assault by pointing a gun, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and possession of marijuana.

On Wednesday night, 16-year-old Torry Trueluck was shot and killed near the intersection of Liberty and Elizabeth streets. The Northern High School student was shot in the chest while he was walking down the street.

His mother Arvestella Trueluck doesn't think her son was a target because everyone in the community loved him.

"Torry was just an all-around great kid," Trueluck said. "I feel like it was a case of mistaken identity."

She said the amount of gun violence in the Durham and the world is heartbreaking.

"It's not necessary," she said. "If you need help for whatever you're going through, put God fire, and just talk to someone who can guide you."

"I just hope whoever did this can please get in their hear and come out and just tell people who you are," said 12-year-old Jayden Thompson, Torry Trueluck's cousin. "Be responsible for your actions."

There have not been any arrests in Trueluck's death.

Regina Carlisle grew up in Durham and said she is worried Durham's neighborhoods are becoming more violent.

"I've been hearing more sirens, more gunshots," she said.

Police said there is no indication any of the the week's incidents are related.

Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive in any of the incidents.

Durham police was not available for an interview Friday. The number of homicides in Durham in 2017 is fewer than the number in 2016.

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