DURHAM, NC — In the early hours of November 12, 2024, 31-year-old Christopher Lee Hart was fatally shot on Holloway Street near Bunn Terrace. His mother, Gwendolyn Kimble, is now pleading for justice and an end to the escalating gun violence in Durham.
“It’s overwhelming,” Kimble shared. “Every day, someone’s child is killed. And there are just too many guns. It’s easy to get guns. It shouldn’t be like that.”
The Durham Police Department has released images of a bearded man, dressed in jeans, a black hooded sweatshirt, and a black toboggan, who is considered a person of interest in Hart’s murder. In one photo, the individual is seen riding a black bicycle.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Investigator D. Johnson at 919-560-4440 ext. 29541 or CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200. Tips can also be submitted online at durhamcrimestoppers.org. CrimeStoppers offers cash rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to arrests in felony cases, and callers may remain anonymous.
This incident is part of a troubling trend in Durham. Recent data indicates that at least 28 individuals have been fatally shot this year, with over 200 people sustaining gunshot injuries.
The Durham Police Department reports a homicide clearance rate of approximately 66% for 2024, a slight decline from the 71% achieved in 2023. Deputy Chief Walter Tate noted, “It’s based on a small number of crimes; they can fluctuate a lot and change a lot with just a few changes.”
Community involvement remains crucial in solving these cases. The tragic death of two-year-old Manariah Bradsher in June remains unsolved. Her mother, Shycresha Spears, expressed her anguish, stating, “He took an innocent person at that time, a child who didn’t even live his life… I feel like they should come forward, do what they have to do, and continue to finish.”
As Durham confronts this surge in violence, the community’s cooperation with law enforcement is vital to bringing perpetrators to justice and restoring peace to the city.
For more information or to provide tips, please contact the Durham Police Department or CrimeStoppers as mentioned above.
