As NC Central University prepares for the 98th Aggie-Eagle Classic, the annual game against North Carolina A&T, students are pressing the school and city leaders for greater safety measures.
On Friday afternoon, food trucks and musical performers set up outside of the student union, a block away, caution tape remained from last week's violence.
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On Sunday, a drive-by shooting injured two students. No arrests have been made, and the students have not been named as of Friday.
Third-year NC Central student Maya Walker said she was in her dorm when she heard gunshots outside Sunday evening.
"I'm glad the two students were okay and everything, but it's just kind of scary,” Walker said.
She said her experience with campus safety has overwhelmingly been positive. However, she wishes the school would improve its emergency communications.
Students and parents were not notified of Sunday's shooting after it happened. In an email, NC Central University told WRAL it did not send out an emergency alert because investigators determined there was no public threat when they arrived.
"It's a public campus, so of course there's going to be issues," Walker said. "But I think they [campus police] do a pretty good job at handling every situation that comes our way."
NCCU said they are working to keep everyone safe.
As with all home football games, the NCCU Police Department and Durham Police Department are working together to help keep the campus and visitors safe during tomorrow’s nearly sold-out Eagle-Aggie Classic. NCCU said in an email response.
Durham’s Mayor Leonardo Williams said he plans to attend and speak at the game with Chancellor Karrie Dixon.
Students advocate to city council
Several Central students spoke during public comment at Durham Council's regular meeting Tuesday.
Among the speakers was Gemaeka Smith, who told the council she was a victim of a shooting during her freshman year's homecoming event.
"We need to do more," Smith said. "I'm tired of hearing about my peers and people my age getting shot. I'm having to go to a funeral as a 20-year-old for someone younger than me."
Her comments came as Durham City Council advances a gun violence plan, months in the making. Mayor Williams said the plan will make Durham safer and target the root causes of violence.
The plan was created by a group of advocates, gun violence victims, law enforcement, and other city leaders who participated in community listening sessions and a gun violence prevention summit.
The city is working to finalize funding. Once the council approves a budget, the plan can take effect.
"It's hard to say that if you do something, you will have a certain result," Councilmember Matt Kopac said. "But I personally have confidence in what's in the plan."
Kopac said NC Central University was involved in the safety planning meetings.
Students who spoke at the meeting want a bigger seat at the table, saying that violence happening around campus hurts students.
Kopac said an additional gun violence strategy will help fill that gap, with a 'youth gun violence plan'. The council plans to enter the development stage of that plan before the end of the year.
"Either way, if we're focusing on adults or youth, I think having students be part of that is crucial," Kopac said.