On the night of October 20, 2024, at approximately 11:48 p.m., Durham police responded to reports of a shooting in the 900 block of Fayetteville Street, near Jack's In and Out Mart. Upon arrival, officers found 34-year-old Chaquila Michelle Little suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services transported her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The following day, authorities arrested 30-year-old Durham resident Braham Pugh in connection with the shooting. Pugh, reportedly an employee at the gas station where the incident occurred, was charged with first-degree murder and is being held at the Durham County Jail without bond. The relationship between Pugh and Little, as well as the motive behind the shooting, remains under investigation.
This tragic event has raised concerns among local business owners and residents about the frequency of violent incidents in the area. In the months leading up to this incident, there have been reports of other shootings nearby, including one involving a three-year-old boy in June. As of October 12, 2024, Durham police statistics indicate that 182 people have been shot in the city this year, 25 of them fatally.
Authorities are treating this case as an isolated incident and continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Little's death. They urge anyone with information to contact Investigator D. Hall at 919-560-4440 ext. 29319 or CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200. CrimeStoppers offers cash rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to felony arrests, with callers able to remain anonymous.
The community mourns the loss of Chaquila Little, remembering her as a vibrant individual who brought joy to those around her. Her passing leaves a void in the lives of her family and friends, who now seek justice and answers in the wake of this senseless act of violence.
