Authorities probe shooting involving trooper in Durham

Trooper R. K. Clay had stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic violation when an altercation occurred at about 4 p.m. Monday. Driver Anthony Rashad Peaks, 19, of Durham, could not provide identification and became uncooperative, according to Clay.

Clay shot Peaks, and then called emergency medical services to request paramedics, Capt. Everett Clendenin said.

Witnesses told WRAL News they heard multiple shots fired.

"It sounded like a bunch of firecrackers going off. It was like, ‘Pop-pop-pop-pow.’ It was five or six shots back to back. It wasn't like one shot, then another shot, it was like an automatic going off,” witness Bertram Drummond said.

Peaks suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Duke University Hospital. Clay was not injured.

Peaks had an outstanding warrant for felony assault with intent to kill in Durham County, Clendenin said.

Peaks was being held on a $100,000 bond in Durham County Jail. He is charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Clay, 43, joined the patrol in June 2005. He was placed on administrative duty as State Bureau of Investigation agents investigate the shooting; both are standard procedure in a law enforcement-involved shooting.