UDATE 8:10 P.M. —
HPD Press Release:
A short time after 3:00PM this afternoon, Officers heard multiple gunshots in the area of Raleigh Road and S. Garnett Street and rushed to the area as 911 calls came in. Individuals parked in the parking lot of Hayes Brothers Muffler, 1002 S. Garnett Street, were approached and shot at.
The first of two victims were seated in their car when struck by gunfire at close range. We are certain this individual was targeted by the shooter. The victim drove away and was intercepted by emergency personnel a short time later and transported for medical treatment.
The second victim, an elderly female, was struck by a single round in the lower leg while seated in her car a short distance north of the incident scene. She was transported to a local medical facility and is currently in stable condition.
The assailant(s) fled the scene on foot and are believed to have gotten into a vehicle according to information and evidence located at the scene. An unoccupied vehicle and two structures were also struck.
We are diligently working to identify the suspect(s) at this time. The public has been extremely helpful and we hope the information continues to come in. Anyone with information is urged to call the Henderson Police Department at (252) 438-4141, our Crime Stoppers line at (252) 492-1925, or the P3 App on your mobile phone.
The Henderson Police Department is grateful for the assistance of Sheriff Curtis Brame and his Office and all the other responding First Responders. Acts of violence have plagued our Nation, and State and our perseverance will hopefully see us all through this.
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UPDATE 6:20 P.M. —
Friday afternoon about 3:05, a man was shot just west of downtown Henderson and a female was hit by a stray bullet near the post office.
Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News it was an “isolated incident.” He said he didn’t know what may stem from it but that at the present time there was no public safety problem.
The suspect or suspects remain at large at this time.
Barrow indicated a male in his twenties was the intended target. He was “shot at point-blank range by the suspect,” Barrow said, in the Hayes Brothers Muffler Shop parking lot.
Chief Barrow continued and said a stray bullet “went up the street and struck an older female in the leg as she was going to the post office.”
The injuries sustained by the female were not believed to be life threatening.
The male shooting victim attempted to drive himself to Maria Parham Health but only made it as far as a fast food restaurant at the corner of Dabney Drive and Graham Avenue. From there, he was transported by ambulance to the hospital about two miles away. Barrow said the victim was “alert and talking upon arrival.”
WIZS News spoke with Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame. He said the Vance County Courthouse was locked down but only as a precaution.
Vance County Schools postponed the Vance County High School football game. Athletic Director Ray Noel told WIZS.
Whether related or just a coincidence, other sounds believed to be gunshots were heard just north of downtown about 10 to 15 minutes after the original shooting. A person close to WIZS heard the and described it as gun fire. It’s believed to have occurred near the old bus station near the corner of Chestnut Street and West Andrews Avenue.