Chris Turner, a 27-year-old African American male from Durham, North Carolina, was tragically shot and killed on April 14, 2016. Turner, a former guard for East Carolina University's men's basketball team, was found lying in a yard in the 400 block of East Piedmont Avenue around 3:30 a.m., suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died.
The shooting did not appear to be random, and Turner had recently been released from prison after serving 18 months for felony theft convictions.
The investigation led to the arrest of twin brothers Ari and Jordan Shlasinger, both 26 years old, who were charged with Turner's murder. The twins were taken into custody and placed in the Durham County Jail without bond. The Shlasinger brothers' mother claimed that the police had the wrong suspects, asserting that it was a case of mistaken identity. Despite this, the magistrate denied bond for the twins, and their next court hearing was scheduled for May 5, 2016.
Turner's family and friends were devastated by his death. His mother, Shonda Hughes, recalled the last words her son said to her: "Mom, I love you." Turner had dreams of joining the NBA but had quit after two seasons at ECU. His stepbrother, Kellen Corley, mentioned that the shooting was payback for a 2013 robbery, although it was not gang-related. Turner was shot three times, twice in the chest and once in the back.
The case garnered significant attention, with many in the community mourning the loss of Turner and seeking justice for his untimely death. The investigation into the murder continued, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. Turner's death highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in Durham, with the city experiencing a high number of shootings in the months leading up to his murder.
