Two boys shot Thursday in Durham; so far this year, 15 people under 18 have been shot

Two boys were shot in separate incidents in Durham Thursday afternoon, bringing the total of those under 18 shot so far this year to at least 15, according to police.

Shortly after 1 p.m., officers responded to a report of a drive-by shooting in the 4400 block of N.C. Highway 54. There they found a 15-year-old who had been shot. He was taken to a hospital with injuries police described as non-life-threatening.

A second shooting occurred just before 5 p.m. in the 900 block of East Main Street. There, another boy was found shot.

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Residents like Charlitta Burruss, who live in neighborhoods where these violent crimes occur, say they are tired, saddened, and fed up with the recent chain of violence. She says that the same harrowing thought crosses her mind every time a shooting happens in her neighborhood.

"I'm heartbroken today. I am so sick of this. I don't know what to do. I am tired and I'm not the only one that's tired," said Burruss.

While in her car, Burruss was checking the mail when gunfire erupted at on Elm Street near East Main Street just before 5 p.m.

"Shots rang out. It sounded like cannons," she said.

Burruss says shootings have become normal dinner table talk for families throughout her neighborhood.

Durham school leaders took a moment during a meeting Thursday night to express their condolences to the students and students' families who have gotten caught up in these shootings.

"I can only imagine the pain and suffering these families are going through, personally, ever to experience something like that. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families," said Dr. Pascal Mubenga, superintendent of Durham Public Schools.

The superintendent encouraged parents that the school system will do all it can to support those affected and prevent further tragedies.

"I refuse to be a prisoner in my own house. I came out here to talk to these neighbors and they feel the same way. They are scared to come out of their own house," said Burruss.