A 26-year-old man who was shot to death by police in downtown Durham Tuesday afternoon posted on his Facebook page before the fatal standoff that he was upset about a custody dispute over his son and that he hoped to die soon. Investigators say Derek Deandre Walker walked into downtown Durham's CCB Plaza on Corcoran Street shortly after 4 p.m., distraught, waving a gun and shouting. WRAL News video from the scene showed what appeared to be Walker repeatedly saying "shoot me" while pointing his gun at officers. Negotiations failed, and the standoff ended about an hour later with police Cpl. R. C. Swartz firing at Walker.
Victim's Name: Derek Deandre Walker
Agency Responsible: Durham Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Race: Black
Date of Death: September 17, 2013
County: Durham
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Justified
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Yes
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun
Geography: Urban