Mass Shooting At North Carolina Party: 2 Killed, Several Critically Injured

Carolina: A deadly shooting in Southeastern North Carolina at a large outdoor Halloween party located in rural Robeson County has left two people dead and several others critically wounded. According to Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, the incident occurred in a rural area outside Maxton, around 95 miles southwest of Raleigh near the South Carolina border.

Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins' office confirmed that 13 people were shot at the party held at a home in a rural area outside of Maxton, which is located about 150 km southwest of Raleigh near the South Carolina border. Following the firing, the investigators and law enforcement officials rushed to the scene. "There is no current threat to the community as this appears to have been an isolated incident," the sheriff's office stated in a news release.

Sheriff Wilkins reported that the shootings originated from a confrontation between two groups present at the event, which drew over 300 attendees ranging in age from young adolescents to adults around 50. Wilkins informed a local news channel that the violence appeared to have started when a dispute between these groups escalated into an exchange of gunfire. 

Later on Saturday, the sheriff’s office officially identified the second fatality as 49-year-old Jessie Locklear Jr. of Lumberton. The office confirmed that the eleven injured victims ranged in age from 17 to 43. 

As per reports, one person sustained injuries classified as life-threatening and was transported to a medical facility, while several others remained hospitalised with injuries that were not life-threatening. The rest were treated and subsequently discharged. 

As of Saturday afternoon, no arrests had been made, although The Robesonian reported that the sheriff's office had identified multiple persons of interest in connection with the incident. His office assured the public that there was no immediate threat to the community. Wilkins told the media that his department believed several victims individuals discharged weapons and that multiple firearms were involved. 

Sheriff’s deputies were initially dispatched to the party location at around 1.15 am following a complaint regarding loud music, but local 911 operators received calls reporting the actual shootings before the officers arrived, according to a news release. Wilkins condemned the violence in the release, stating, “This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured.” He expressed dismay over the unsettling combination of teenagers, alcohol, and guns present at the large house party, noting that alcohol law enforcement agencies were now assisting with the investigation. 

Wilkins’ office reported that more than 150 people fled the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement and appealed to anyone with information or who was present at the party to contact the sheriff's investigators. News outlets reported Wilkins' clarification that law enforcement was unaware of the large party beforehand because the number of attendees fell below the required local permit threshold.

As of Saturday, the names of the deceased and injured had not been released, and no arrests had been announced. The investigation is ongoing, with homicide detectives probing the firing incident to ascertain the cause and the people behind the shooting.

Further details regarding the shooting incident in North Carolina are awaited.