Durham man charged with murder in fatal Parkwood shooting
Court records identify Victoria James as the woman killed Saturday and indicate her two children were inside the SUV when shots were fired.
A 38-year-old Durham man faces a first-degree murder charge after Victoria James was shot and killed Saturday afternoon while driving through the Parkwood neighborhood.
Lontrel Diray Alston is accused of firing a handgun into a Mitsubishi Outlander occupied by James and her two children, Dasia James and Jeffery James, according to arrest warrants filed in Durham County District Court.
The shooting happened shortly after 1:30 p.m. Sept. 12 near Revere Road and Sedwick Road. Warrants list the location as 5338 Revere Rd.
Victoria James was pronounced dead at the scene. A second woman was taken to a hospital with injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening, WRAL reported, citing Durham police. Authorities haven’t released additional information about the condition of the third person in the vehicle.
In addition to first-degree murder, Alston is charged with:
- Two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, involving Dasia James and Jeffery James
- Discharging a firearm into occupied property
- Habitual misdemeanor assault
The habitual misdemeanor assault charge cites two 2018 assault-on-a-female convictions in Halifax County.
The warrants were issued Saturday. An initial order says Alston wasn’t authorized for release by the magistrate and was being held in Durham County Jail pending review by a judge. His first scheduled court appearance is at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14.
Durham police described the shooting as an isolated incident and said there was no continuing danger to the public.
Anyone with information may contact Investigator D. Hall at 919-560-4440, ext. 29319, or Durham CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200. Tips submitted to CrimeStoppers can remain anonymous.
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