Five people were shot, including a 6-year-old, after a drive-by shooting near the intersection of Greenwood Street and East Thirteenth Street in Scotland Neck.
Four people were shot inside the town limits and another outside the town limits.
Scotland Neck police Chief John Tippett said in a statement released late Tuesday night two victims were in a car and others were on the porch of a residence in the 300 block of East Thirteenth Street.
Tippett said another shooting occurred outside the town limits on Highway 903 and possibly involved the same suspects. He said the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office responded to that shooting and the victim was taken to Martin General Hospital in Williamston. The victim’s condition was unknown at the time of the initial release on the matter.
The four victims in the town limits shooting were transported to Vidant Medical and were said to be in surgery at the time of the statement.
Officers responded to the shooting call shortly after 2:30 p.m.
Officers rendered emergency care to the victims until Halifax County EMS and Scotland Neck Fire Department arrived. Vidant East Care also responded.
The victims were in front of a residence in the 300 block of East Thirteenth Street when the gunfire erupted from a white Charger with a spoiler on the trunk. Tippett said the occupants of that vehicle were described as black males.
"This is another cowardly act by individuals who just can't seem to settle disputes without the use of a firearm,” Tippett said. “Our officers increased patrol in this area because it is a known drug area and there have been several complaints in the past week.”
Tippett said, “It's one thing for adults to have conflicts, but I will not tolerate anyone hurting or shooting innocent children. We are learning more each minute about the shooting and who you are. Do yourselves a favor, cooperate and turn yourselves in before law enforcement officers come for you."
Scotland Neck police were assisted by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Enfield Police Department, Martin County Sheriff's Office and Williamston Police Department.
Scotland Neck Police have developed leads in the case and will be releasing further information soon.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-826-4112; the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201; or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.
