Man charged in Durham apartment shooting

Police charged a Durham man Wednesday in connection with a shooting at a local apartment complex last week that killed one person and wounded two others.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force arrested Jose David Mendoza at about noon at a Red Roof Inn motel on N.C. Highway 55, police said.

Mendoza, 26, of Hearthside Street, was charged with murder and was being held without bond in the Durham County jail.

Neighbors at the complex on Welch Place said they heard 20 to 30 gunshots on March 28. Callers to 911 described people running all around and a shooter standing in the street.

Jesus Contreras, 37, died in the shooting, and two other men suffered wounds that weren't life-threatening.

Investigators said the shooting didn't appear to be random.

The case remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call Durham police at 919-560-4440, extension 29322, or Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200.