By Jessica Banov
The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C.
DURHAM, N.C. — A murder suspect was fatally shot inside the Durham Police Department headquarters after he “lunged” for an officer’s gun, Police Chief Patrice Andrews said Wednesday.
Andrews spoke at an evening news conference and said investigators were in the process of interviewing an adult male in custody shortly before 6 p.m. for a “recent homicide” when he reached for and gained “full control” of a Durham officer’s weapon.
Following a struggle, the unnamed suspect was shot. Andrews said a preliminary investigation shows “the suspect fired the shot from the gun that was in his control. Again, this was a gun that belonged to a police officer.”
Officers began to treat him at the scene. He was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, Andrews said.
No officers were injured.
Andrews did not identify the suspect or in what case he was a suspect.
The shooting is being investigated by the Durham Police Department’s Professional Standards Division and the State Bureau of Investigation, which is standard procedure for shootings involving officers.
Andrews emphasized that her report is based on preliminary findings, including from surveillance footage inside the building.
The investigation is ongoing, Andrews said.
“My heart goes out to all that have been involved,” Andrew said. “Certainly, this is a tragic loss for our officers, this is a tragic loss for that person’s family, and so our hearts go out to them, as well as the officers that will be forever changed by this this event.”
The Durham Police Department’s headquarters is at 602 E. Main St., in downtown.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
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