Delores Evans Burwell, 73, of Durham, North Carolina, died after being struck by a stray bullet on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2021. She was visiting friends on Robinhood Road when celebratory gunfire hit her; she was taken to a hospital and later died of her injuries. Durham police opened an investigation to identify where the shot came from, but no arrests have been announced and the case remains open.

Family and friends described Burwell as a sweet and wonderful sister, grandmother, and mother; her sister Jan Harris spoke about the family’s grief and joined calls for stronger measures to prevent similar tragedies. The incident prompted community outrage and renewed warnings about the dangers of firing weapons into the air.

If anyone has information about gunfire on Robinhood Road that night, please contact Durham police.