Haywood Jabbar Downey, a 34-year-old African American male, was tragically killed on August 23, 2014, in Durham, North Carolina. The incident occurred early in the morning near the intersection of North Duke Street and Horton Road. According to reports, multiple shots were fired into the SUV driven by Downey, causing it to collide with a Toyota sedan. The collision resulted in the Toyota crashing into a power pole, which subsequently broke, and the SUV veering into a yard and hitting a tree.
Downey was pronounced dead at the scene, having been shot at least once.
The driver of the Toyota, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The incident led to a power outage in the area as crews worked to repair the broken power pole. Despite the severity of the incident, no arrests have been made, and the case remains under investigation. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact Durham Crime Stoppers.
Haywood Jabbar Downey had a history of repeated violent attacks on women and was considered a habitual felon. This aspect of his background has been highlighted in discussions surrounding his death, with some attributing it to the broader issue of gun violence among felons. The investigation into Downey's death has not yielded any suspects or arrests, and no charges have been filed in connection with the shooting. The lack of progress in the case has left many questions unanswered, and the community continues to seek justice for Downey.
