Arturo Velazquez Chavez Obituary, Death – Durham police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting outside a food truck last Friday afternoon as 35-year-old Arturo Velazquez Chavez. The incident occurred near lunchtime, shaking the typically busy area.
According to the Durham Police Department, officers responded around 12:30 p.m. to the 4200 block of Garrett Road for a report of an “unknown police problem.” Upon arrival, they received additional information about a possible shooting on the 2600 block of N.C. Highway 55. When officers arrived at the second location, they found Chavez, who had been shot. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
CBS 17 reporters on the scene observed at least five bullet casings outside a food truck named Mexican JV American, which was parked near the Taco Ardiente restaurant. Another bullet casing was discovered inside the food truck, indicating the shooting may have occurred in close proximity to the truck and its staff.
Later that evening, Durham police announced the arrest of 32-year-old Jeisson Munoz-Valencia, also of Durham, in connection with the shooting. He has been charged with murder. Police revealed that Chavez and Munoz-Valencia knew each other, suggesting the shooting was not random.
Authorities stated that the investigation is ongoing, but preliminary findings indicate the incident was isolated. Police are working to gather more details about the circumstances that led to the tragic event.
The shooting has left the local community shaken, as food trucks like Mexican JV American are popular spots for residents during lunch hours. Chavez’s death has sparked concern among those in the area, though police have reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat.
As investigators continue their work, the incident serves as a grim reminder of how quickly violence can erupt, even in familiar and bustling locations. The Durham Police Department has not released additional details about the motive or the relationship between the victim and suspect, but they encourage anyone with information to come forward to aid in the investigation.