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Tag: durham county

  • Durham police use new tech to solve 2022 killing of Navy veteran

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    The suspect in a 2022 Durham murder case was sentenced to life in prison without parole, Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced Thursday in a news release, making it the first crime solved by Durham police with the help of 3D mapping. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Frederick Johnson was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the first-degree murder of Derek Sterling

    • Sterling, 42, was a Navy Veteran who was shot and killed on Aug. 30, 2022 in Durham

    • This was the first time the Durham Police Department used a FARO scan as evidence in court

    Frederick Johnson, then 52, was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Timothy Wilson for the first-degree murder of Derek Sterling, which happened on Aug. 30, 2022.  

    According to Jackson, this case was the first time the Durham Police Department used a FARO scan as evidence in court, providing a precise 3D map of the crime scene. This technology goes deeper than examining photos and videos and creates a reconstruction of the scene itself, the American Bar Association website states. 

    Wilson also sentenced Johnson to a consecutive term of 14-32 months for conspiracy to discharge a firearm within an enclosure to incite fear. 

    “This violent murderer will spend life in prison for his crimes,” Jackson said in a news release.

    “My office will always work with law enforcement to get dangerous criminals off our streets and keep our communities safe,” Jackson said. 

    On Aug. 30, 2022, officers with the Durham Police Department responded to a shooting on Hillsborough Road in the parking lot of a tobacco and vape shop.

    Upon arrival, officers found 42-year-old Derek Sterling, a U.S. Navy Veteran, suffering from gunshot wounds. Sterling was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS, according to officers with the DPD.

    The news release states that Johnson had pulled up next to Sterling in the parking lot before firing two shots and leaving. 

    According to evidence used in court, Johnson was later caught on camera at a residence, admitting to shooting someone with a handgun.  

    Johnson was arrested by the DPD and charged with the first-degree murder of Sterling on Sept. 9, 2022. 

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina. 

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    Blair Hamilton

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  • Central NC braces for slick roads as melted ice and sleet refreezes overnight

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    Residents in and around the Triangle are experiencing the aftermath of the winter storm that moved through the area, making travel hazardous and prompting many residents to remain indoors. 

    The winter storm has left roads slick and sidewalks treacherous, creating a significant challenge for both pedestrians and drivers alike.

    While hours of sunlight provided some relief by melting portions of the ice, shaded areas remain dangerously slippery.

    “The alleyway right beside our building right now has a patch of ice at the bottom of it that I think is already starting to cool back off and harden,” said Daryn O’Shea, the owner of IT guys. “It’s going to be treacherous. Driving around town, I hit some little spots at the top of the intersection, so that you need to slow down before getting to.”

    Crews working for the city of Durham have been hard at work, working extended hours, prioritizing the clearing and treating of main roads.

    Despite these efforts, many secondary roads remain coated in ice, posing ongoing risks for the community. People living in the city are confident the remaining ice won’t pose too much of an issue for the morning commute.

    “I see it may be a little patchy tomorrow. But also, I feel like it was manageable today, so I feel like it will still be manageable tomorrow,” said Issy Theriot, who lives in Durham.

    As the community braces for another cold night, the focus has turned to refreezing on the ground. Residents are urged to exercise caution on the roads and sidewalks, as efforts continue to treat the streets.

    ‘It slid twice on me’: Johnston County bracing for long thaw from ice and sleet

    In Johnston County, despite DOT officials saying most of the interstates and highways in the county are safe and clear, first responders are still cautioning drivers to be mindful of the lasting impacts into Tuesday.

    For Mike Winters of Selma, he thought little of the storm, as he’s seen similar situations.

    “A little Hyundai Sonata. It slid twice on me, but I’m originally from Ohio.

    According to DOT, the department dropped more than 130,000 gallons of brine before and during the weekend winter storm in Johnston County alone. They also dropped another 600 tons of salt on Saturday as the storm moved in.

    Despite the road preparations, county officials reported 11 crashes as of Monday afternoon, part of the more than 1,300 incidents State Highway Patrol responded to throughout the weekend, including a jackknifed tractor-trailer that closed I-95 for hours.

    “I can only imagine the number is higher, we had a couple crashes since lunchtime,” said Hannah Horne, an EMS captain in Johnston County.

    Horne added that even if the roads are mostly clear, small ice spots can still be a big problem for experienced drivers.

    “We have changed our operational plan and we are expecting for everything to refreeze this evening so anything that has not completely, or has not dissipated at this time will refreeze later,” Horne said. “So we are really encouraging our crew and everyone else to remain cautious.”

    Winters said he will be taking that advice, even if his friends from Ohio make fun of him for it.

    “I got friends in Ohio, [and] I complained it was 25 [degrees],” Winters said. “They were like, ‘Shut up, it’s 8 [degrees].’”

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  • Man hospitalized in Durham shooting, police say

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    A man is in the hospital Friday night after police say he was shot in Durham.

    According to the Durham Police Department, officers received reports of a shooting around 10:07 p.m. on Lodeston Drive. When they arrived at the 500 block, they found a man with gunshot wounds.

    Police said the man was taken to the hospital and has non-life-threatening injuries.

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  • Triangle school communities try to support immigrants during Border Patrol operation

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    Among those responding to the presence of U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Triangle are parents and other s focused on schools.

    Durham Public School Strong, Durham For All and other organizers built “School-Based Care and Protection Teams” to gather outside Durham schools Wednesday through Friday mornings when students arrive. In Wake County, people volunteered to do the same.

    The Durham sign-up sheet said teams will “hold signs, lead chants and songs and be prepared to mobilize safe-to-school parades if Durham does become targeted.”

    The Wake County N.C. Association of Educators and other groups organized a training Tuesday evening to help school employees and community volunteers learn how to reassure students and families fearful of the federal immigration operation.

    The ultimate goal, said Wake NCAE President Christina Cole, is to keep people safe.

    “People should have the dignity and the ability to live in our country and their community and to not be afraid of getting kidnapped going to school or going to work and being terrorized,” Cole said in an interview.

    The Wake training event nearly filled Raleigh’s Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Cole said. Experienced activists provided information about how to identify and interact with federal agents who might show up at or near a school.

    The crowd then broke into groups, depending on their role in the community. Parents and others talked about “safety patrols” around schools to watch for federal agents and help parents and children feel welcome.

    Meanwhile, school employees talked about steps they might take, such as preparing lesson plans for absent students or getting additional emergency contacts should a family member be detained.

    “We talked a little bit about mutual aid,” Cole said. “Can we deliver food or groceries or whatever to our families if they’re afraid to leave their homes?”

    Many parents appear to be keeping their kids home from school while the Border Patrol is active in the Triangle. In Wake County, nearly 19,500 students were absent from school Tuesday, about 67% more than a normal day, according to county officials.

    Durham and Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools also reported higher-than-normal absences Tuesday.

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    Richard Stradling

    The News & Observer

    Richard Stradling covers transportation for The News & Observer. Planes, trains and automobiles, plus ferries, bicycles, scooters and just plain walking. He’s been a reporter or editor for 38 years, including the last 26 at The N&O. 919-829-4739, rstradling@newsobserver.com.

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    Richard Stradling,Twumasi Duah-Mensah

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  • Durham, Wake sheriffs urge calm amid Border Patrol presence in Charlotte

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    Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead in an undated photo. Birkhead and Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe are urging NC residents to remain calm if they encounter Border Patrol agents.

    Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead in an undated photo. Birkhead and Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe are urging NC residents to remain calm if they encounter Border Patrol agents.

    As U.S. Border Patrol agents arrive in Charlotte, Wake and Durham sheriffs released statements Friday to address concerns about potential immigration enforcement activities in their counties.

    Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe said his office had not received “any official notification from U.S. Customs and Border Protection” of any operation or activity. Rowe urged residents not to confront Border Patrol agents if they were to come to Wake County and allow them to carry out official duties.

    “The safety and well-being of our community remains the primary concern of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, and we strive to avoid circumstances that may lead to injuries or unnecessary arrests,” Rowe wrote.

    Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead also said his office was not aware of any planned or ongoing Border Patrol operations but noted that “we are also not informed prior to any such CBP or ICE operations being initiated in local jurisdictions.”

    “My message to you has not changed — Do Not Panic!” Birkhead wrote. “Keep your eyes open. Know your rights.”

    Federal officers were spotted in Charlotte Saturday morning, The Charlotte Observer reported. It is unclear why the federal government chose Charlotte or how long it plans to have agents in the Queen City, though CBS News reported the operation may last a week.

    Local and state leaders blasted the move Friday, criticizing the lack of transparency — local leaders said they had not been briefed on the operation — and emphasizing that Charlotte did not need Border Patrol to carry out immigration enforcement, The Charlotte Observer reported.

    In his statement, Birkhead reiterated that Durham County does not participate in neither the 287(g) program — which allows local officers to perform immigration enforcement under the oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — nor “any CBP or ICE ‘roundup’ operations.” Wake County has not participated in the 287(g) program since 2018.

    Birkhead said he had met regularly with Hispanic residents to address their concerns and questions and would continue to stay alert to any changes in immigration enforcement.

    “My job is to keep this community safe,” Birkhead wrote. “The many relationships we have across Durham County allow us to do just that.”

    Related Stories from Raleigh News & Observer

    Twumasi Duah-Mensah

    The News & Observer

    Twumasi Duah-Mensah is a breaking news reporter for The News & Observer. He began at The N&O as a summer intern on the metro desk. Born and raised in the Triangle, Duah-Mensah has previously interned for WUNC and NC Health News. Send him tips and good tea places at (919) 283-1187.

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    Twumasi Duah-Mensah

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  • Durham caregiver charged with exploiting elderly, accused of financial theft from client’s account

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    A woman faces several felony charges after she was accused of exploiting a disabled elderly person.

    On Monday, deputies with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office arrested 35-year-old Kirsten Ranay Gibson. According to arrest warrants, she was accused of financially taking advantage of a disabled elderly person while serving as a caretaker in an assisted living facility.

    Warrants also say Gibson is accused of taking money from the clients’ Wells Fargo checking account without their permission.

    Gibson was charged with felony exploiting a disabled/elderly capacity, felony obtaining property under false pretense and felony financial card theft.

    She is being held without bond and is expected back in court on Wednesday at 8:45 a.m.

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  • Another Triangle community now considering bus rapid transit

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    DURHAM

    With dreams of commuter or light rail in the Triangle deferred, local governments are turning to a far cheaper and easier form of mass transit that uses buses.

    Durham County is the latest to consider bus rapid transit. The county’s plans get underway this fall with an online survey and a series of public workshops to determine how and where people might use BRT.

    The effort is a response to what the county heard as it developed the 2023 Durham Transit Plan, which guides how revenue from the county’s half-cent sales tax for transit should be spent.

    “Residents and our governing boards requested that we prioritize quick and reliable bus service,” Ellen Beckmann, the county’s transportation director, said in a written statement. “The BRT Vision Plan will identify the specific projects and corridors that we want to advance using our local sales tax to accomplish this goal.”

    BRT is a bus system with some similarities to rail. Passengers board from covered, elevated platforms, as on a train car, and electronic boards show when the next bus is due to arrive. The buses also get priority green lights at intersections and often travel in their own dedicated lanes, to avoid getting slowed by traffic.

    Both Raleigh and Chapel Hill have committed to bus rapid transit. Raleigh hopes to begin service on the state’s first BRT line along New Bern Avenue by the summer of 2030 and plans three more BRT lines radiating from downtown. Chapel Hill expects to begin building a line through the heart of town in 2027, connecting the Eubanks Road park-and-ride lot near Interstate 40 with Southern Village.

    Meanwhile, the city of Durham is planning what it calls Central Durham Bus Rapid Transit. It will run about 5 miles from Wellons Village through downtown to the Duke University and Veterans Administration medical centers.

    Compared to rail, bus rapid transit is much easier to develop and less expensive. GoRaleigh expects to spend $108 million to build the 5.4-mile New Bern Avenue line, or about $20 million per mile. In contrast, planners estimated several years ago that a proposed commuter rail line between Durham and Garner would cost $75 million to $80 million per mile.

    GoTriangle completed a feasibility study for the commuter rail line in early 2023, then shelved the project after it became clear the federal government would not help pay for it. An earlier effort to build commuter rail between Durham and Raleigh was also abandoned in 2006 after failing to win federal support or funding.

    Meanwhile, GoTriangle gave up on a proposed 18-mile light rail line between Durham and Chapel Hill in 2019, after the Federal Transit Administration said the project was unlikely to qualify for federal funding because of rising costs and uncertainty over acquiring the needed right-of-way.

    How to learn more and be heard

    To learn more about Durham County’s Bus Rapid Transit Vision Plan, including a link to the survey, go to durhambrtvision.com/. The survey will be live through Nov. 29.

    The county also plans three workshops — two in person and one online:

    • Thursday, Oct. 30, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Durham County Main Library, 300 North Roxboro St.
    • Thursday, Nov. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Durham Station, 515 West Pettigrew St. (Use Willard Street entrance to avoid construction.)
    • Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. online at kimley-horn.zoom.us/j/98587989690/.

    Related Stories from Raleigh News & Observer

    Richard Stradling

    The News & Observer

    Richard Stradling covers transportation for The News & Observer. Planes, trains and automobiles, plus ferries, bicycles, scooters and just plain walking. He’s been a reporter or editor for 38 years, including the last 26 at The N&O. 919-829-4739, rstradling@newsobserver.com.

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    Richard Stradling

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  • Durham City Council rejects ShotSpotter by 4-2 vote

    Durham City Council rejects ShotSpotter by 4-2 vote

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    DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Durham City Council voted not to renew its contract with the controversial ShotSpotter technology Monday night.

    The decision came a week after a Duke study found it did notify police about more shootings compared to 9-1-1 calls.

    The vote was 4-2 with Mayor Leonardo Williams and Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton on the side of keeping the program in place.

    “If we’re talking about over-policing Black and brown neighborhoods, uh hello, I’m a Black guy,” Williams said.

    He said the people he had talked to were in favor of keeping the program. He also cited a recent survey about quality of life in Durham which noted that people were asking for more police protection.

    “Of course, you’re going to get a lot of police response in these neighborhoods if the gunshots are happening in these neighborhoods and that’s just a fact,” Williams said.

    ALSO SEE: With ShotSpotter gone, some in Durham worry about gun violence escalating

    Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews said the program was another tool for her investigators but one year wasn’t enough to know its full effect.

    “One more tool is better than no more tools,” she said. “If we’re looking at prosecution, that’s something that would’ve taken much longer to look at.”

    The AI-powered gunshot detection was set up at the end of 2022 to see whether it could lower response times to calls. The Duke study concluded last week it did but did not show evidence it brought down gun violence overall.

    ShotSpotter, which has now rebranded as Sound Thinking, did not pick up every instance of gun violence. It failed to pick up eight shootings with one or more victims.

    Of the 29 incidents that resulted in arrests, only seven happened because of a ShotSpotter notification.

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    Josh Chapin

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