On August 24, 2023, at approximately 5:02 p.m., Durham Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 2400 block of Ashe Street in Durham, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 62-year-old Maverick Deran "Pete" Tatum suffering from a gunshot wound. Tatum was promptly transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
In the ensuing investigation, authorities arrested three individuals in connection with Tatum's death.
On August 25, 2023, 22-year-old Iquwan Timmons of Durham was apprehended and charged with first-degree murder. That same day, 19-year-old Zakiya Bumpers, also of Durham, was charged with obstruction of justice; she was released later after posting a $5,000 secured bond. Subsequently, on September 20, 2023, the U.S. Marshals Task Force arrested 19-year-old Avion Cox of Durham, charging him with first-degree murder. Both Timmons and Cox remain in the Durham County Jail without bond.
The motive behind the shooting has not been publicly disclosed, and it remains unclear what connection, if any, existed between Tatum and the accused individuals. Tatum's daughter, Kimyatta Tucker, expressed her bewilderment and grief, describing her father's death as "senseless" and noting that she was unaware of any conflicts that could have led to such a tragedy. She emphasized the unexpected nature of the violence, stating, "You see things about gun violence, and you never think that it would ever happen close to home."
Tatum's death has contributed to growing concerns about gun violence in Durham. Reports indicate that while the number of people shot in the city decreased during the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, the total number of shooting incidents increased by 20%. Community organizations and law enforcement continue to work towards addressing these issues, aiming to reduce the incidence of such tragedies in the future.
