2002 slaying of teen at Durham townhouse unsolved

The shooting death of Ian MacLaurin Davis II in a townhouse at 1304 Seaton Road, Apt. 6 on Oct. 1, 2002, remains unsolved.

"Ian was in the wrong place at the wrong time," property manager Roger Karl said.

Witnesses told police that two or three men threw a cinder block through a sliding glass door on the rear of the townhouse while Davis and others were asleep inside. The men robbed one resident and shot Davis at close range with a shotgun.

Davis was a visitor to the townhouse.

"We firmly believe somebody's out there that knows what happened in this case and hasn't forgotten it," Durham police Capt. Ed Sarvis said.

He said that investigators continue to follow leads in the case but face a familiar obstacle: witnesses who are reluctant to come forward because of fear or intimidation.

"We just need them to trust us to give us the information. And they don't have to leave their name to do it," Sarvis said. "If they worry about being labeled a snitch or being identified as a snitch, there are ways around that."

Davis' family has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, and tips left with Crime Stoppers (919-683-1200) are eligible for the reward. Callers never have to identify themselves, and rewards are paid through code names.

Anyone with information about Davis' death can also call NC Wanted's tipline at 1-866-439-2683. Tips are forwarded to Durham police and are also eligible for the reward.

Eight years after Davis' death, Karl said he still looks forward to an arrest.

"It would bring closure to something that we knew should never have happened," he said.