Authorities Say Deadly Shooting An Accident
Posted June 3, 1996 7:00 a.m. EDT
DURHAM — June 4, 1996 - 8:20 a.m. EDT
Police in Durham say a high school senior was accidentally shot to death after he tapped on a friend's bedroom window.
Richard Lamont Rankin, just a few credits away from graduating from Hillside High School, was fatally wounded early Sunday. Police believe the shooting was not intentional.
Police also are investigating whether a 911 call allegedly made by the shooter's mother was mishandled, preventing officers from finding Rankin more quickly.
Police say the suspected shooter, also a teenager, says he thought someone was breaking into his house. The teen says he was sleeping when he was awakened by a sound outside the window.
So far, no charges have been filed.
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