On November 26, 2023, 17-year-old Ricardo Meza-Ramirez, a student at Cary High School in Durham, North Carolina, died from a gunshot wound. Early that morning, he walked into a local hospital seeking treatment but succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. The incident occurred in the 3500 block of Tricenter Boulevard and is considered isolated by Durham Police.
Following an investigation, authorities arrested 22-year-old John Carvajal Campos, charging him with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Meza-Ramirez's death. Campos was detained under a $10,000 secured bond and released after posting bail. Friends of both individuals indicated they were longtime friends and suggested the shooting may have been accidental.
Maria Ramirez, Ricardo's mother, expressed profound grief over the loss of her only son, describing him as a happy, outgoing individual who loved playing soccer. She is seeking justice for Ricardo, with community members raising nearly $2,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses. The Durham Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
