'A lot to offer the world': Family says 21-year-old innocent bystander is one of 100-plus shot this year in Durham

Family and friends are mourning a 21-year-old woman who died after getting shot last week in Durham.

Ja'tavia Daye walked into a hospital with gunshot wounds on May 28, according to the Durham Police Department. She died from her injuries on Monday.

Daye’s uncle, Quincy Wright, said she was an innocent bystander.

“She was with some friends,” Wright said. “They went to a store, and then somebody just came up and started shooting at the car where they [were] at.”

Family members called Daye “TayTay,” according to Wright.

“She always wanted to see the best and smiles in people,” Wright said. “Her smile was everything to me.”

Daye was shot the night of May 28 along Guess Road near Broad Street. Durham police are investigating the case as a homicide.

Police believe the shots were fired from inside a Chrysler 300.

Wright offered a message for whoever is responsible for shooting his niece.

“Do the right,” he said. “Turn yourself in.

“That’s all I can say at this point.”

Daye's loved ones now join the ranks of grieving families in Durham asking why.

“She had a lot to offer the world,” Wright said of his late niece. “We lost a great, great young lady that had so much potential.”

Anyone with information about the May 28 shooting is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200 or https://durhamcrimestoppers.org/.

Using data from the Durham Police Department, there are 102 people who have been shot this year in the city. For comparison, from Jan. 1, 2023, -- May 25, 2023, there were 73 people shot in Durham.

In 2024, 19 died from gunfire in Durham.

In Durham, 18 people died from gunfire in 2023 and 16 people died from gunfire in 2022.