DURHAM, N.C. — The vibrant, gritty pulse of Durham’s hip-hop scene has been violently, irreversibly silenced. In a city where musical talent frequently serves as a bridge out of systemic hardship, the sudden, kinetic eruption of gunfire on North Roxboro Street has claimed the life of a young man who was once at the absolute epicenter of North Carolina’s cultural zeitgeist.

The Durham Police Department (DPD) has officially confirmed a massive, highly complex homicide investigation following a late-night triple shooting that occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The attack, which targeted three individuals sitting inside a vehicle near the Regency Place Apartments, resulted in the deaths of 23-year-old Tevin Burney and 26-year-old Jarrett Godfrey. Burney was a household name among local youth, operating under the stage name “YBT.” He was a foundational member of the rap trio 83 Babies, a group that achieved massive viral success in the late 2010s before navigating a tumultuous path of legal challenges and industry pressures.

As the “Bull City” grapples with the loss of another young creative mind to the epidemic of gun violence, the DPD Homicide Unit is meticulously reconstructing the final moments of the victims. This highly expansive, 2,000-word report delves deep into the harrowing timeline of the North Roxboro Street ambush, the meteoric rise and subsequent fracturing of 83 Babies, the profound impact of YBT’s music on the community, the ongoing forensic investigation, and the broader, urgent conversations regarding the safety of artists in the modern rap landscape.

The Eruption of Crisis: Midnight at Regency Place

To fully comprehend the suddenness and the sheer, calculated brutality of this tragedy, one must understand the environment of North Roxboro Street. The 3500 block is a high-traffic sector of North Durham, populated by multi-unit residential complexes and commercial shopping centers. At approximately 11:55 p.m. on Friday, the quiet Friday night was permanently obliterated by the unmistakable, staccato crack of high-caliber gunfire.

Multiple 911 calls were placed by terrified residents of the Regency Place Apartments, reporting a “hail of bullets” directed at a parked vehicle. In the high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled realm of urban emergency dispatch, a “triple shooting with multiple unresponsive victims” call is treated with the absolute highest level of priority.

When Durham Police units breached the parking lot, they discovered a scene of absolute, thermal and kinetic destruction. Inside a sedan, three victims were discovered suffering from massive ballistic trauma. For Tevin Burney and Jarrett Godfrey, the injuries were non-survivable; both were pronounced deceased at the scene by arriving paramedics. The female passenger, miraculously spared from the fatal trajectory of the rounds, was rushed to a local trauma center, where she is currently in stable condition.

The Legacy of YBT: From “No Cap” to Independent Stardom

The death of Tevin Burney is not just a police statistic; it is a cultural earthquake for Durham. In 2018, YBT, alongside fellow members Lil 83 and Setitoff83, released the viral sensation “No Cap.” The track’s raw energy and authentic portrayal of Durham life resonated deeply, accumulating millions of views and attracting the attention of major label scouts and industry heavyweights like Rich The Kid.

83 Babies became synonymous with the “new wave” of North Carolina rap, a movement that sought to put Durham on the map alongside the established giants of Atlanta and Charlotte. However, the path to superstardom was fraught with the very real, visceral challenges of the environment they rapped about.

Following internal disputes and high-profile legal issues that ultimately led to the group’s disbandment, YBT transitioned into a successful independent career. He was known for his “relentless work ethic” and his ability to mentor younger artists in the Durham community. To his fans, YBT represented the possibility of transforming local struggle into global art.

The Rigorous Forensic Investigation: DPD Takes Command

With the victims removed and the scene secured, the procedural machinery of a major homicide investigation immediately shifted into high gear. Processing a vehicle-based shooting is a meticulous endeavor, requiring forensic ballistics experts to map “bullet flight paths” to determine the number of shooters and their physical positioning at the moment of the ambush.

Mapping the Scene and Evaluating the Variables: Investigators spent the early morning hours methodically deconstructing the 3500 block of North Roxboro Street. They utilized advanced laser mapping and drone photography to create a comprehensive digital model of the parking lot.

At this stage, detectives are evaluating several primary possibilities:

1. Targeted Execution: The concentrated nature of the gunfire suggests the victims were specifically targeted, possibly being followed to the apartment complex or “set up” via digital communication.

2. Digital Footprint: Detectives are aggressively reviewing YBT’s social media activity and cellular data to determine if his location was compromised in the hours leading up to the midnight ambush.

3. Community Intelligence: The DPD is pleading with the public for information. In a city where “street code” often hampers investigations, the loss of such a prominent figure may serve as the catalyst for witnesses to come forward.

Conclusion: A City in Mourning

As the sun sets over Durham and the heavy yellow crime scene tape is eventually removed from North Roxboro Street, the scars of this violent Friday night will remain with the families of the victims and the thousands of fans who saw themselves in YBT’s lyrics.

The investigation into the death of Tevin Burney and Jarrett Godfrey remains highly active. The “Bull City” awaits answers from the ongoing investigation, praying that justice will be served for the two young men who had their futures violently erased in a fraction of a second.