Crime
15-year-old boy killed after shooting at Magnolia Pointe Apartments in Durham
A witness reported that the boy had been playing in the snow at the time of the shooting.
Durham police are conducting an investigation into a tragic shooting on Saturday that claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy, identified as AJ.
At approximately 2:40 p.m., officers responded to reports of a gunshot wound at the Magnolia Pointe Apartments, located in the 4800 block of Danube Lane.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a young boy suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
At the scene, investigators placed 20 evidence markers on the ground, indicating the extent of the crime scene.
A witness reported that the boy had been playing in the snow at the time of the shooting.
“A child should be able to play in the snow,” said Mayor Leonardo Williams. “I’ve gone from being sad to just mad as hell. I’m deeply frustrated.”
The incident has left the community in shock, with many residents expressing their sorrow and outrage on social media.
“It’s heartbreaking that children cannot simply be children in this town,” one resident wrote. “Praying for this child’s family and anyone who witnessed this trauma.”
Another community member shared, “Lord, please pray for his mama and sister.”
Mayor Williams echoed these sentiments, expressing both his frustration and his commitment to addressing the city’s public safety challenges.
“I share the concerns of our residents,” Mayor Williams stated. “Public safety is being overlooked, and the systems designed to protect us are not functioning as they should. We need to adopt a proactive approach to public safety, and a key part of that is investing in our children.”
Durham police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Investigator J. Smith can be reached at 919-560-4440 ext. 29365. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by visiting durhamcrimestoppers.org or calling 919-683-1200.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. — A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriff’s deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.