Durham, North Carolina

From Raleigh’s News14.com of August 9, 2006

Durham resident kills alleged intruder, shoots another

Durham police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Wednesday inside a house on Dearborn Drive in northern Durham. Officers were dispatched to a break-in in progress call on Dearborn Drive at 1:40 a.m. Wednesday. When they arrived, the residents told them that two men had kicked in the front door and entered the house.

At least one of the men was armed with a gun. The resident shot and killed one male, who was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not been identified at this time.

The resident also shot and wounded the second male, who fled from the house. A short time later, Rashaad Cox, 19, showed up at the Duke University Hospital emergency room for treatment of a gunshot wound to his arm. Cox was treated at the hospital and released. He was later charged with first-degree burglary and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

An adult male, an adult female and a 15-month-old boy were in the home when the incident occurred.

From the Raleigh News-Observer of August 12, 2006

No charges for home's occupant

The man who shot two intruders as they invaded his home 'was defending his life,' police say

Durham police said the man who shot two men who broke into his home early Wednesday was protecting his family and will not be charged.

Investigators have consulted with the District Attorney's Office on the shooting at 3301 Dearborn Drive, and the initial evidence points to self-defense, Sgt. Jack Cates said.

"This man was defending his life," Cates said. "I think probably if he had not had a gun, he would have been [killed], as well as the female in the house, and possibly the baby. ... Nobody won in this case."

The incident happened at 1:40 a.m. Wednesday, when the man and woman were at home with their 15-month-old son, police said. Two men, at least one carrying a firearm, kicked in the door, police said. The resident grabbed his gun and shot both intruders, police said.

One intruder, whom police identified as Rondelle Mincey, 20, of 1435 Newcastle Road, died in the house.

The second, identified as Rashaad Cox, 19, was injured and escaped, only to show up at Duke Hospital minutes later for treatment of a gunshot wound, police said. Cox, a felon, has since been charged with armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary and cocaine possession.

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