UPDATE: A tragic shooting incident at a Halloween party in Maxton, North Carolina, has left two people dead and at least 13 others critically injured. The shootings occurred early this morning, around 1:15 a.m., at a large outdoor gathering that attracted over 300 attendees, with ages ranging from pre-teens to individuals in their 50s.
According to Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, the chaos unfolded when a confrontation erupted between two groups at the party. “There’s a lot of interviews taking place, but apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gunfire between those two started,” Wilkins told WBTW-TV, emphasizing the urgency of the investigation.
Among the deceased is a 16-year-old boy alongside a 47-year-old man, both of whom have not yet been publicly identified. One of the wounded individuals was airlifted for immediate medical attention, while others are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The sheriff’s office has confirmed that multiple shooters were involved, and various weapons were discharged during the incident.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities report that over 150 partygoers fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. Sheriff Wilkins stated that his office is pursuing multiple persons of interest in connection with the shootings, though no arrests had been made by Saturday afternoon. Investigators are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
The sheriff revealed that law enforcement was unaware of the party’s occurrence prior to the gunfire because the number of attendees fell below the threshold requiring a permit, which would have mandated security measures.
This incident marks a severe escalation in violence during public gatherings, raising concerns about safety in communities across the nation. As details continue to emerge, the impact of this tragedy is being felt deeply within the local area and beyond.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as authorities work diligently to piece together the events surrounding this devastating shooting.
