Four shootings in Durham in less than 24 hours leave 2 dead, many worried

The spate of gunfire over the past several hours have left at least two people dead and several others hurt.

Investigators have not released any information about the incident that occurred near Northgate Mall. Crime scene tape was erected and there was a heavy police presence.

A few hours before, Durham police were called Tuesday afternoon to the scene of another shooting in which the victim, who just celebrated a birthday last week, was gunned down outside Shepherds House United Methodist Church.

Police were called to the church's address at 107 North Driver Street, near Main Street, shortly before 2 p.m., police said.

When police arrived, they found the victim lying on church grounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, a police spokeswoman said.

A WRAL News crew saw the yellow crime scene tape that was erected at the scene and a black partition around the unidentified man's body as police began gathering evidence. Investigators have not yet provided any information about a suspect or a motive.

Shaneeka Cox says her boyfriend was the young man who was killed. She said his father called her to deliver the news.

It was not clear if anyone was inside the church when the shooting occurred.

The shooting earlier Tuesday afternoon capped a spate of incidents that started Monday night.

That includes the five people who were shot and wounded just minutes apart Monday night in downtown Durham, and one victim was killed, police said.

Two people were shot in one location, and three others were shot minutes later while waiting at a bus stop. Durham police said they believe the shootings may be connected.

The fatal shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. at the corner of Dillard and Liberty streets, close to the Durham County Library and the Urban Ministries building.

Three victims were waiting for a bus when a dark-colored car drove by and started shooting.

Kerry Graham Jr., 24, of Durham, died at a local hospital from his wounds, police said.

A second man was taken to a hospital for treatment, and a woman was grazed on her hip by a bullet but wasn't taken to the hospital.

David Dixon, a local pastor, said he was passing by but stopped when he heard the gunshots. He said he saw 10 people at the bus stop and called 911.

"They actually ran out in front of my car to stop me to get me to call 911, so that’s what I did," Dixon said. “They were hurt. They were trying to get the young man to talk, but he wasn’t. He was breathing.”

Dixon said it was hard to watch something like that unfold in his own city.

“It is very heartbreaking," he said. "The crazy thing is I saw him earlier today, and he waved at me. It’s like you see him, and the next minute, you’re gone."

Two other people were shot moments before in the 1200 block of Wabash Street. The victims told police they were walking down the street when a dark-colored car started shooting.

One person was shot in the hand, and the other was shot in the leg. Both were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Both shootings are under investigation.

Statistics from the Durham Police Department show violent crime is up, including homicides, which are up 42 percent from last year.