🌱 Gunman Located At Durham School + County Courthouse Bomb Threat

Good morning, Durham! I'm Amy Mayo and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Like many of you, the Patch staff is taking some time off for Memorial Day, so you won’t see this newsletter in your inbox for a few days. We’ll be back soon, but in the meantime, here’s what’s happening in and around town this weekend.

But first, your weekend weather:

• Saturday: Cooler with periods of rain. High: 60 Low: 54.
• Sunday: Warmer with periods of rain. High: 68 Low: 59.
• Monday: Cloudy with a thunderstorm. High: 73 Low: 60.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories today in Durham:

1. On Wednesday, a concerning incident took place at Northern High School, prompting the school to enter a secure status just before 2:00 p.m. The Durham Police Department received reports of an armed individual near the school, leading to a pursuit of the suspect's vehicle on Long Crescent Drive. Eventually, officers apprehended a 16-year-old teenager wearing a ski mask and concealing a rifle in his pants. The teen, whose identity remains undisclosed due to his age, is now facing several charges. (ABC 11)
2. Several agencies in the Durham area responded to the County Courthouse Friday morning in response to an alleged bomb threat. Durham Emergency Communications Center received a call from an unknown individual stating there was a bomb within the Courthouse. The Durham Police Department immediately took action and dispatched a search team - All units on the scene searched the building before declaring it safe for use again. Both staff and the public were allowed back into the building by 11:30 a.m. (Durham Sheriff's Office)
3. Following the release of additional details surrounding the tragic shooting incident in Durham, it has been revealed that the deceased teenager, identified as 19-year-old Zion Craig Bowden, was originally from Raleigh, NC. The shooting occurred in the 300 block of Ganyard Farm Way, and Bowden was then transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. If you have any information related to the case, please contact Investigator Z. Starritt or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers. (CBS 17)

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This weekend in Durham:

Saturday, May 27

• Cane Pole Fishing At West Point On The Eno (10:00 AM)
• Leigh Farm Park Tour At Leigh Farm Park - Visitors Center (10:00 AM)
• West Point Park Tour At West Point On The Eno (11:00 AM)

Sunday, May 28

• Al Strong Presents Jazz Brunch At Alley Twenty-Six (10:30 AM)
• Master Gardener At The Carolina Theatre (2:00 PM)

Monday, May 29

• Art on the Fridge Fest At Durham Central Park (2:00 PM)
• Durham Bulls Vs Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp At Durham Bulls Athletic Park (5:05 PM)

From my notebook:

• Check out the new Mike D's BBQ sauce - An award-winning twist to spice up grilling season this year. Mike D's is locally owned and you can find it now at Durham Co-op Market. (Durham Co-op Market via Facebook)
• If you're looking for a fun and free family-friendly event then look no further than the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival! Celebrate 50 years of music at this legendary event featuring a dynamic line-up, arts and crafts, food, and more, come out next Saturday, Jun. 6 for the perfect summer kick-off. (City of Durham, NC Government via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox next week with your next update.

About me: Amy Mayo is a writer, visual artist, and political scientist, living in the NC Research Triangle. She graduated from the University of North Carolina Asheville with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and has worked in a variety of fields outside of copywriting including policy advocacy, the healthcare industry and pharmaceuticals, and education. She hopes one day to live up to the stringent expectations of her cat, Morty.