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18-Year-Old Wounded After Gunfire Erupts Near Funeral In Durham

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DURHAM, N.C. — As friends and family Saturday afternoon left the funeral for a 16-year-old boy gunned down last week at a Durham mall, more shots rang out nearby, ending with an 18-year-old man being shot in the leg

The shooting happened at about 2:30 p.m. one block away from Union Baptist Church, where people were mourning the death of Lazarren McLean, who family members said was protecting his sister when he was shot to death Dec. 26 outside Northgate Mall.

Witnesses said mourners were leaving and gathering in the church parking lot when they heard gunshots a block away on Dowd Street.

Witnesses too shaken up to be identified described a crowd of people running toward the gunshots to help the victim.

While police said the shooting did not appear to be directly related McLean's shooting death, witnesses said the 18-year-old and the shooter had attended the funeral and that the shooting was gang-related.

"It was apparently some people coming to the funeral, and these two guys had a beef and gun shots were fired," said a witness.

Witnesses said the crime scene cleared quickly out of fear that more violence would erupt.

"The officer stated there might be retaliation and so they told us to stay off the corners," said one.

While the Durham Police Department has not confirmed whether the shooting was gang-related, detectives said there had been an undercover gang unit attending the funeral as a precaution.

The shooting victim, whose name was not released, was taken to Duke University Hospital, where his injuries were said to be non-life threatening. There have been no arrests yet related to the incident.

Durham police are still looking for Lamar Bass, 17, who is wanted in connection with McLean's death. Bass has been charged in warrants with murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and going armed to the terror of the public.

Another person -- Quinzell Williamson, 19, -- was seriously injured in the Northgate shooting.

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