Durham gun violence summit takes data-driven look at saving young lives

Durham’s “Summit on Saving Lives” began Wednesday after a six-month review of the data behind gun violence, homicides and shootings in the Bull City.

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams, Durham County Commissioner Michael Lee, Durham police officers and advocates working to reduce shootings were among those involved in the effort. The meeting comes weeks after 2026 crime data showed homicides were up in Durham during the first quarter of the year. 

The stats show that 94 people have been shot in Durham to this point in 2026.

Officials gathered feedback during 15 listening sessions across the city with concerned residents, former police officers and advocacy groups focused on addressing the factors that can contribute to violence. It's all from wanting to change a persistent problem.

The data from a Gun Violence Problem Analysis will be shared during the summit, along with potential solutions and strategies meant to guide discussions.

Williams is counting on the expertise and leadership of stakeholders to help shape policies the city can adopt moving forward. He has publicly voiced frustration with the deaths the city has seen this year.

There have been peaks and valleys in Durham’s shooting numbers in recent years. In February, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office described the community as “facing a heartbreaking and critical moment” after seven people were shot in city limits from Feb. 12 to Feb. 19.

“It is really hard to celebrate that we are trending the right way when we have such a concentrated string of shootings among so many young people, so I don’t want to discount the work that we are doing, but it's just not enough,” Williams said on Feb. 20.

That same day, Williams called for a collaborative effort between the city, county and area schools to address the issue.

Some measures implemented in recent years, including ShotSpotter, have had mixed results. Durham City Council voted not to bring back the technology in March 2024.

Wednesday’s session was open to the public at Durham Convention Center. Thursday and Friday’s meetings will be held in closed session. At the end of this three-day summit, participants will bring recommendations for the city and county to implement. Following that, elected officials have 60 days to put that plan into action.

One theme that came up on Wednesday - community members who said Durham is research-rich, but execution-poor. Leaders said they don't need to start from the ground up, but rather work together with what's already here. Williams said they want to turn their listening and fact-finding into action.

""We're going to let the data inform us on what's next,” Williams said. “No policies based on assumptions or opinion. It's hard facts and experiences. This is our most aggressive response to violent crime ever." 

Earlier this month, a 14-year-old was taken into custody after a shooting on Hoover Road killed a man.

WRAL has produced several documentaries on the gun violence problem, including UnSafe: North Carolina Kids Dying from Gun Violence and Durham Under Fire.