A hail of over 80 bullets turned a North Carolina house party into a deadly scene of carnage, claiming one life and leaving eleven others wounded, with authorities convinced multiple shooters unleashed the terrifying attack.
Key Takeaways
- At least 80 shots were fired at a house party in Mountain View, NC, killing 58-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood and injuring 11 others, with victims as young as 16 years old.
- Police believe multiple shooters were involved in the attack, which occurred shortly after authorities had responded to a noise complaint at the same location.
- The shooting spanned several properties across approximately two acres, with many party attendees reportedly being local high school students among the roughly 100 people present.
- Despite the involvement of the FBI, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and local law enforcement, no arrests have been made as authorities continue searching for suspects.
- Seven victims remain hospitalized, with one previously in critical condition, as investigators work to determine the motive behind the attack.
Deadly Gunfire Erupts at Rural North Carolina Gathering
What began as a large gathering in a typically quiet residential neighborhood turned into a scene of horror early Sunday morning when gunfire erupted at approximately 12:45 a.m. in Mountain View, North Carolina. Located about 60 miles northwest of Charlotte, this rural community was shattered by violence that claimed the life of 58-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood from Lenoir and left eleven others wounded in what authorities are describing as a carefully orchestrated attack involving multiple shooters. The chaotic scene sent party attendees running for their lives as bullets flew indiscriminately across the property.
“As I stand here, more than 80 shots were fired,” said Maj. Aaron Turk during a press conference following the incident, underscoring the intensity of the attack. The shooting occurred at a home on Walnut Acres Drive, with approximately 100 people in attendance, many reportedly local high school students. Particularly troubling to investigators is that deputies had responded to the same location nearly two hours earlier for a noise complaint, though authorities have found no evidence linking that call to the subsequent violence that erupted.
Investigation Spans Multiple Agencies as Shooters Remain at Large
The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office has mobilized significant resources in partnership with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Hickory Police Department, and FBI to process an extensive crime scene that spans multiple properties across approximately two acres. Law enforcement officials face a complex investigation with both indoor and outdoor areas affected by the shooting. Despite the substantial law enforcement response, no arrests have been made as of this reporting, with authorities still working to identify the perpetrators responsible for this brazen attack.
“Our investigation indicates more than one shooter was involved in the incident. We are still working to determine when they arrived, how they arrived, what their reasoning was for their presence. Also, their motive,” stated Maj. Aaron Turk from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office reported that of the eleven people wounded, seven remain hospitalized with injuries of varying severity. Among the injured, one victim had been listed in critical condition, though their current status has not been updated. The ages of the victims range from as young as 16 years old, highlighting the particularly disturbing nature of this attack that targeted a gathering with numerous minors present. Law enforcement officials continue to interview witnesses and process evidence in hopes of developing leads.
Community Left Searching for Answers
Residents of the normally peaceful Mountain View community have been left shaken by this violent intrusion into their neighborhood. Sheriff’s office Major Aaron Turk emphasized the unusual nature of such violence in the area, noting, “Sheriff’s office Maj. Aaron Turk said at a news conference that the shooting occurred in a normally quiet neighborhood in southwest Catawba County about 7 miles (11 kilometers) south of the city of Hickory.”
Catawba County Sheriff Donald G. Brown II has pledged the full resources of his department to bring those responsible to justice, making a solemn promise to the community: “I want everyone to know that we are going to work together tirelessly and diligently to identify the individuals who are responsible for this act.” Authorities are actively seeking public assistance and have urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward immediately. With multiple armed suspects still at large, community members remain understandably concerned about their safety as the investigation continues.
