Durham sees two fatal shootings in one week, one near bar, one on Eva Street

Key points

• A man died at the hospital after being shot near PickleBack2 on Rigsbee Avenue and West Corporation Street in downtown Durham early Friday morning, according to WRAL.
• Witnesses told WRAL that a fight occurred outside the bar before the shooting, but no arrests have been made.
• On Tuesday night, police found a man with multiple gunshot wounds in the 900 block of Eva Street, less than two miles east of downtown, and he died at the scene, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.
• The Durham Police Department described the Tuesday shooting as an isolated incident posing no further danger to the public and has not released the victim's name or suspect information.
• As of September 19, 140 people had been shot in Durham this year, with 18 fatalities, compared to 125 shootings and 23 deaths by the same time last year, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.

Background

Recent archive entries highlight a pattern of fatal shootings in public venues and urban areas, including a sports bar shooting in Rockville and incidents in downtown Minneapolis. These events underscore ongoing concerns about gun violence in similar settings, though the Durham incidents are distinct local events.

How outlets are covering it

WRAL emphasizes the connection between a pre-shooting fight and the fatal incident near a downtown bar, focusing on the immediate aftermath and lack of arrests. The Raleigh News & Observer provides broader context by noting the victim died at the scene on Eva Street and highlighting the year-over-year increase in shootings and fatalities in Durham, framing the incident within a larger trend of violence in the city.

Why it matters

The two fatal shootings in one week highlight persistent gun violence in Durham, with one incident linked to a dispute near a bar and another an isolated event. The rise in annual shooting and fatality numbers underscores the urgency of local efforts to address violence, including potential initiatives like violence interrupters.

What to watch

The Durham Police Department is investigating both incidents and has requested public tips via CrimeStoppers, offering rewards up to $2,000 for information leading to arrests. No suspects have been identified or arrested in either case as of the latest reports.