Trevor VanDyke, a 20-year-old African American male, was a freshman at North Carolina Central University and an aspiring football player. On the night of March 2, 2020, he was found fatally shot in Durham, North Carolina. The incident occurred near Industry Lane, close to the Campus Crossings apartment complex, where many NCCU students reside. According to the Durham Police Department, VanDyke was shot at the apartment complex and then drove to Industry Lane after being wounded.
The shooting did not appear to be random.
VanDyke's death was a significant loss to his family, friends, and the NCCU community. He was remembered for his positive attitude, love for sports, and his bright future. His former principal at Clayton High School described him as a popular student-athlete who worked hard to overcome adversity. NCCU Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye expressed the community's grief over the sudden and tragic death of VanDyke, who had just begun his collegiate career.
The investigation into VanDyke's death led to the arrest of Denzel James Fitzgerald, a 20-year-old former NCCU student. Fitzgerald was charged with murder and turned himself in to the authorities on April 22, 2020. The motive for the shooting has not been released, and the case remains under investigation. Fitzgerald had been enrolled at NCCU from the fall of 2017 to the spring of 2020, but no further information was provided about why he left the school.
The NCCU community held vigils and memorials to honor VanDyke's memory. Friends and classmates remembered him as a caring and dedicated individual who had a bright future ahead of him. The loss of VanDyke was deeply felt by those who knew him, and the community continues to mourn his untimely passing.
