One injured in Durham strip mall shootout

One person was injured and several vehicles and businesses were damaged during a shootout at a Durham strip mall Friday evening.

Durham Police Lt. Daniel Edwards said officers were called to the shopping center on Avondale Drive around 6:10 p.m.

Witnesses said two men squared off across the parking lot and fired at each other from behind parked cars.

At least 19 shots were fired, Edwards said. Windows of four businesses were shot out, and five vehicles were also damaged.

Jacinto Barr, 33, was taken to a local hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Police would not say whether he was among those who participated in the gun battle or was an innocent bystander.

One man, Freddy Cheek, also 33, was taken into custody after witnesses told police they saw him run into a laundromat. Cheek, who had a gun, told police he was shot at and returned fire.

Police did not offer a theory for what started the shooting. They continued investigating the scene past 10 p.m., including taking axes to a soda machine in a barber shop in the shopping center.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.