DURHAM, NC — Flowers now mark the spot where 17-year-old Terrick Strudwick tragically lost his life Tuesday night in a shooting at an apartment complex on Cornwallis Road.
“It makes your heart stop beating,” said his grieving father, Terrick Strudwick Sr., in a phone interview with CBS 17. “The power to see him grow up is gone.”
Two days after the incident, Durham police announced the arrest of 16-year-old Corinthian Poole, now charged as an adult with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Yet, for Strudwick’s father, the pain is far from over.
“There is so much violence happening everywhere, but especially in that area and among the youth. I don’t understand,” he said, expressing frustration at the ongoing cycle of violence in Durham.
Witness Accounts Paint a Chaotic Scene
Residents of Cornwallis Road described a harrowing night. Shakia Terry, a resident, recounted the terrifying moments when bullets riddled her home.
“I found six bullet holes in my kids’ room. They were screaming and had to crawl on the floor to get out,” Terry said, her voice trembling.
Nearby, a car parked at the crime scene still bears the scars of the violence—shattered windows and bullet holes serve as stark reminders of the chaos.
A Community in Mourning
Strudwick, a student at Hillside High School, was remembered by Durham Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Lewis, who released a statement offering condolences to the family and acknowledging the impact of the tragedy.
“Losing any young life is a tragic event. We extend our condolences to his family and embrace our academics and community as we deal with this loss,” the statement read.
A Bigger Question About Durham’s Violence
This incident adds to a troubling trend of youth violence in Durham, an issue that has left many residents calling for action. Strudwick Sr. expressed doubts about the completeness of the investigation, suggesting other suspects may still be at large.
“It’s always going to be a question mark about what could have been,” he said.
What’s Next?
While an arrest has been made, the pain of this loss continues to ripple through the community. As residents mourn, they are also left grappling with questions about how to address the escalating violence among Durham’s youth.
The Bull City Citizen will continue to follow this story and explore the broader implications of gun violence in our community. For updates, visit BullCityCitizen.com or subscribe to our newsletter for in-depth reporting.
This story was reported by CBS 17 and supplemented with additional insights by the Bull City Citizen.
