There is no indication the shooting was gang-related. Earlier reports that the shootingwas in retaliation for aprevious gang-related homicide are untrue, according to detectives, and the victimapparently was not witness to anyrecent homicide.
"Investigators have no such confirmation [that the victim witnessed a murder]," Sgt.Ron Evans said Saturday afternoon.
Investigators said that instead the shooting appears to be drug-related. Officersfound evidence that Williams was inpossession of several rocks of crack cocaine when she was slain.
Williams was standing near her car when a white early 1990s Ford Thunderbird pulledup and stopped shortly before 8:30p.m. A man got out and fired several shots. The shooter then jumped in the back seatof the Thunderbird. Therewere at least two other people in the car.
Shawn Williams was inside his sister's apartment when he heard gunfire. He came outsideand was also shot.
Investigators have received conflicting details about what happened. There are indicationsthat more than one shooterwas involved, and there may have been a back-and-forth exchange of gunfire.
Investigators were following up on several leads in the case Saturday afternoon.
"The community has a right to be outraged about this violence, but please remember this is an unfortunate consequence ofthe drug and gang culture. This is not unique to Durham. Communities throughout thecountry experience violence associated with drugs and gangs," said Durham Police ChiefTeresa Chambers on Saturday.
"Our citizens who are not involved in that lifestyle need not live in fear."
Anyone with information about Williams' death is asked to call Detective T.D. Mikelsat 560-4440, ext. 275, or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200. CrimeStoppers is offering a rewardof up to $1,200 forinformation leading to an arrest.
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
