Ryan Ware, a 24-year-old graduate student at Duke Divinity School, was the victim of a shooting outside a Durham Costco Saturday afternoon.
Ware is the pastor of two churches in Virginia, according to WRAL, and the shooting took place at the Costco on North Pointe Drive. As of Wednesday afternoon, no charges had been filed and the crime remains an active investigation.
“The Duke Divinity School community is deeply saddened and troubled by the shooting of one of our students,” Divinity School Dean Greg Jones wrote in an email to The Chronicle Wednesday. “We have been surrounding the victim and his family with love, support and prayers ever since, and we will continue to do so in the coming days."
Jones wrote that Ware is part of Duke's Master of Divinity program. Ware was hospitalized with “serious injuries that could be life-threatening,” according to WRAL.
Kammie Michael, public information officer for Durham Police Department, wrote in an email to The Chronicle Wednesday that the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Michael did not respond in time for publication to a question about Ware’s current condition.
“There are no updates in the case right now,” Michael wrote Wednesday afternoon. “No charges have been filed and this remains an active investigation.”
Michael encouraged anyone with information about the crime to contact CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200, where they can provide anonymous tips about felonies and receive cash rewards if information leads to arrests.
The Divinity School’s focus now “is on helping and supporting Ryan and his family in any way we can,” Jones wrote.
“A group of students, among whom are some of Ryan’s closest friends, have been extraordinary in their support and encouragement and prayers for Ryan and his parents,” the dean wrote. “Members of our staff and faculty have also been volunteering assistance and support in very thoughtful ways.”
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Bre is a senior political science major from South Carolina, and she is the current video editor, special projects editor and recruitment chair for The Chronicle. She is also an associate photography editor and an investigations editor. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief and local and national news department head.
Twitter: @brebradham
Email: breanna.bradham@duke.edu