Man in custody shot, killed by Duke University police officer while at emergency room

A Duke University police officer shot and killed a man in the emergency department at Duke University Hospital late Friday night, according to officials.

Officials said the man was in custody of the Durham Police Department at the time of the shooting. There was a struggle and the man managed to take the Durham officer's gun.

A Duke University police officer responding to the scene shot the man, Duke officials said. Officials did not say how many times the man was shot and did not provide any additional information about how the shooting occurred.

Trauma staff at the hospital rendered aid to the man who was shot, but he did not survive.

Witnesses told WRAL News it was troubling seeing the large police presence and seeing nurses run out of the hospital. One mother said she heard gunshots coming from the emergency department entrance.

Hannah Norcross went into shock after her experience. Her 10-year-old son has brain cancer and visits often.

"Last evening we were at Duke for several hours in the emergency room getting treatment," said Norcross. "He had to go to the ER because he spiked a fever."

As they were leaving at about 10:15 p.m. Friday night, the sound of gunshots grabbed her attention. 

"I immediately thought active shooter," said Norcross

Norcross and her son were shaken knowing how close they were to this frightening situation.

"He doesn’t want to go back to Duke because he is afraid he will be shot," said Norcross. "His words from a 10-year-old."

As protocol, the Duke University Police Department contacted the State Bureau of Investigations. State officials were at the hospital conducting an investigation early Saturday morning.

Officers involved in this incident were wearing body cameras at the time of the shooting.

The Durham police officer was also treated for injuries at the hospital on Friday night, but officials did not say to what extent he was injured. No other patients or hospital staff were physically injured.

Capacity in the emergency department was reduced, university officials said, while the shooting is investigated.

This is the third man shot and killed by a police officer in the Triangle this week. On Tuesday, Raleigh police killed a man after responding to a crash on the side of Interstate 440. The next day, Durham police shot and killed a man inside a Circle K who was harming himself and a gas station employee.

Duke University has around 70 police officers on staff and provides security to Duke University and its health system, according to Duke's website. Duke employs both police and security officers. The police officers with the university system are fully deputized and function as city officers.