Derek Ortiz, a 21-year-old man from Cary, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on August 17, 2022, in a shooting incident in Durham. The shooting occurred around 2 p.m. in the 2500 block of South Roxboro Street. Ortiz, who was of Hispanic descent, was babysitting his sister's two young daughters at the time of the incident. The gunfire erupted while Ortiz was outside with his nieces, and multiple shots were fired, lasting about three minutes.
Ortiz was struck by the bullets and succumbed to his injuries at the scene, in front of his nieces, who witnessed the entire event from a neighbor's apartment window.
The Durham Police Department launched an investigation into the shooting, which also left a woman injured with non-life-threatening injuries. The police presence was significant, and the community was left in shock by the violence. Ortiz's sister, Shaniece Bostic, expressed her grief and confusion over the incident, stating that her brother was a good person who loved singing, rapping, and taking care of his one-year-old son, Derek Ortiz Jr. She also mentioned that Ortiz was working on obtaining his GED and was dedicated to helping raise her daughters.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the police arrested Savon Dunston, a 22-year-old man, and charged him with the murder of Derek Ortiz. Dunston was held without bond in the Durham County Jail. Additionally, another man was taken into custody and charged with resisting, delaying, and obstructing justice. The investigation into the shooting continued, with the police searching for additional information and potential suspects.
Ortiz's family and friends mourned his loss and remembered him as a loving father and a good man. They raised funds for his funeral through a GoFundMe page and prayed for justice to be served. The community's concerns about gun violence in Durham were heightened by this tragic event, and Ortiz's sister expressed her desire to leave the city due to safety concerns. The investigation remained ongoing, with the police urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in bringing those responsible to justice.
