3 Children Shot, 1 Fatally, In Drive-By Shootings In Statesville

STATESVILLE, NC — Police are pleading with the community for information after three children were shot — one fatally — in two separate drive-by shootings in Statesville Monday evening.

Police said Monday night they did not believe the children were the intended targets.

According to Statesville Police Department, the first shooting occurred around 7 p.m. when a 9-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy were shot outside a home on the 1300 block of Wilson Lee Boulevard.

"Officers arrived and immediately began life-saving efforts until EMS arrived," SPD said in a statement. Witnesses told officers that a suspect in a white vehicle was shooting from inside the vehicle.

Both children were transported to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries. The girl was later pronounced dead, SPD said. As of Monday evening, the boy remained in the hospital for treatment.

Around 8:30 p.m. while police were still at the Wilson Lee Boulevard home processing evidence, shots rang out about two blocks away, in the 300 block of Newbern Avenue. Officers responded to the second shooting location and found a 10-year-old boy had been shot.

"Witnesses stated a white possible Honda Accord drove by with a subject shooting from inside the vehicle," SPD said.

The boy's gunshot wound was non-life threatening, SPD said.

Police are now asking the community to come forward with any information that could help in the investigation into the two shootings.

"If you saw the murder of this innocent child and injuries to the other innocent children, you must help in solving these cases," SPD said in a statement. "If you have evidence or information regarding the shooters, please contact us. We do not believe the children were the intended targets."