2-year-old boy back home after getting shot while playing on sidewalk, aunt says

A 2-year-old boy is back home Monday night after he was shot earlier in the day in Durham.

According to the Durham Police Department, officers responded to a report of a gunshot wound around 3:43 p.m. at the Oxford Manor Apartments in the 3700 block of Wiggins Street. When they arrived, they found a 2-year-old boy with a gunshot wound.

"It sounded like somebody threw a firecracker at the door and literally ran, that's how loud it was," said Courtney Holloway, the toddler's aunt.

According to Holloway, her nephew was playing on the sidewalk in front of her door when he was shot in the leg.

"Whoever you were trying to target at, it was a whole toddler righty there," Holloway said. "I don't care what y'all got going on. There was a whole toddler right there."

EMS took the boy to the hospital and Durham police said he suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Holloway said her nephew came home from the hospital and is recovering, adding that he's smiling and laughing.

It is not the first time a child has been shot at the complex. In 2024, a 16-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl were shot as the girl got off the bus. 

While her nephew is recovering, Holloway said she and the community are still looking for answers.

"Whatever they are, I want to know what the problem is," she said. "We don't have violence at my home."

Police said the investigation is ongoing. Police asks for anyone with information related to the shooting to call them at 919-560-4440 extension 29415, or contact Durham CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200 or online.