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Brother of assistant chief in Byron murdered in Raleigh, N.C.

By Howard B. Owens

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A murderous crime spree by a recently released convict in Raleigh, N.C., has hit close to home for members of the Byron Fire Department, according to Chief Charles Durkee.

The brother of First Assistant Chief John Durand was shot and killed at the pawn shop he owned in Raleigh. The perpetrator has also shot another person and raped a teenager.

Thomas Melvin Durand, 64, was shot and killed, about 7 p.m., Monday.

The suspect is 21-year-old Kendrick Keyanti Gregory. He is wanted on charges of murder, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury and first-degree rape.

Police said Gregory, who was released from the Wake County jail on Aug. 25, is still at large and the public in Raleigh is warned that he is armed and dangerous.

Durkee said he and other members of the department are upset that their fellow volunteer and friend has his life end in such a tragedy.

"He's a guy who works so hard doing nothing but trying to help people out," Durkee said. "And then to have something like this happen is just unbelievable."

Raymond Richardson

Our parole system definitely needs an overhaul fast.

Two instances here in Rochester within the past few years of recently paroled, violent offenders, picking up where they left off. One raped a teenage girl, who was waiting for her bus to school at the Liberty Pole stop downtown, in broad daylight.

The other shot and killed an R.P.D. Officer, who was chasing him for committing a crime.

Best fix: STOP PAROLING THESE PEOPLE! They are not able to be rehabbed to live in society.

Sep 1, 2015, 4:45pm Permalink
Charles Durkee

They caught him in New York City. Officers pulled over a cat matching the description of a vehicle that matched the description of one of the stolen vehicles. I hope they give him the chair. I know John and he is one of my chiefs. He makes almost every call and just keeps giving, always there to help and to have something like this happen is just not fair. He's a great man bottom line. He's also a great friend. John just come back to us safe.

Sep 2, 2015, 6:45am Permalink

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