DURHAM, NC (WNCN) - Durham police are investigating the shooting death of North Carolina Central University student that occurred the night of Sept. 17.
Officers responded to a gunshot wound call at an off-campus apartment complex in the area of 1400 East Cornwallis Road around 10:15 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found a man with what appeared to be a gunshot wound.
The man, identified Monday as DeAndre Marquise Ballard, 23, was transported to the hospital where he died the next morning.
The chancellor of NCCU, Johnson O. Akinleye, posted a letter about Ballard on the school's website.
According to the letter, Ballard, a senior, was a native of New Bern and was getting ready to graduate in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with a concentration in fitness and wellness.
Ballard was also a member of the university's Bon Vivant Fashion Society and served as "Mr. Bon Vivant Fashion Society" for the 2017-2018 school year.
"Naturally, this sudden loss impacts his family greatly, as well as his many friends, his roommates and the entire NCCU community. I ask that we stand together in solidarity during this difficult time and collectively keep DeAndre Ballard and his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers," Akinleye wrote.
No arrests have been made and police have not released any suspect information. The case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator E. Ortiz at (919) 560-4440, ext. 29337 or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.
