'Tell Brittany I tried': 15-year-old jumped in front of 5-year-old to shield her as bullets flew, family friend says
A 15-year-old who was critically injured in a shooting Wednesday afternoon was trying to protect her 5-year-old cousin, a family friend said.
WRAL News learned that 15-year-old Destiny Sidberry, who was shot, covered 5-year-old Khloe Fennell with her body. When police arrived, Destiny told them, "Tell Brittany (Khloe's mother) I tried."
Francine Gray -- a friend of Khloe's mother, Brittany Dash -- described Destiny as a "strong, brave individual."
"Destiny jumped in front of the gun and got hit with multiple bullets," Gray said. "Khloe got hit with one that went through Destiny. By the time the officers arrived, Khloe was down. Destiny was struggling but ... she said, 'We've been shot,' and she also said, 'Tell Brittany I tried.'"
The 5-year-old died in the shooting. Destiny was shot multiple times and is currently in the hospital.
Brian Deshan Luster, 42, of Durham, faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He is being held at the Durham County Jail without bond.
According to police at the scene, the shooting happened in the 300 block of N. Guthrie Avenue. Police were originally called to the scene for a drug overdose.
According to Gray, Destiny, Khloe and a third person were at the home when Luster showed up.
While it is not clear whether there was a family relationship between the alleged shooter and the victims, Gray said he had been staying at Dash's home. On the arrest warrant, his home address was listed on North Driver Street, just blocks away from the scene of the shooting.
"Brittany is one of those people, if you need someone, she's giving it to you," Gray said. "You need a place to stay, she'll open her doors for you. She was helping someone out, letting him stay here."
Deputies told WRAL News that Luster was being held in medical isolation Thursday and could appear in court as early as Friday.
The latest children to be victims of gun violence in Durham
Khloe and Destiny are the 22nd and 23rd victims of gun violence under the age of 18 so far in Durham this year.
Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead released the following statement:
"On July 4th, I attended several community events across our community to commemorate Independence Day. It was a happy day, marked by families gathering to celebrate our nation’s birthday. In all these neighborhoods, I saw children playing and cooling off in “kiddie pools” or, having water balloon wars, and running through cool mist cooling stations to handle the scorching sun on a hot summer day. I witnessed our community at its very core. It pains me that less than 24 hours later, we are now experiencing and dealing with the unthinkable – another shooting that has taken such young life from our midst.
Durham, we are so much better than this ... My office will lend any support to the Durham Police Department to address this and any other acts of violence, and to reduce gun violence throughout communities in Durham. As your Sheriff, I am also committed to better understand why it happened."
WRAL News asked Durham City Councilman Leonardo Williams if parents in the city should be concerned about the safety of their children in Durham.
Williams said gun violence isn't a problem that government can fix, but community can.
Police are asking anyone with information to call Investigator J. Sokal at 919-560-4440 ex. 29238 or Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200.
