One person has died, and 11 others were injured after a shooting at a party in Mountain View, North Carolina, early Sunday. According to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 12:45 a.m., shortly after police had addressed a noise complaint at the same residence.
Just before the shooting, deputies had asked partygoers to lower the volume. However, by the time they received multiple 911 calls about a shooting, the situation escalated dramatically. Sheriff’s Major Aaron Turk reported that 12 individuals were shot, with one person—identified as 58-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood—declared dead at the scene. Another victim is in critical condition at a hospital in Charlotte.
Authorities indicated that there were multiple shooters and used various weapons, including long guns. Fortunately, they believe this shooting wasn’t random but rather potentially linked to past conflicts among attendees.
As of now, no arrests have been made. Investigators are working to gather details from witnesses and understand the motive behind the violence, which remains unclear. The challenge is heightened by the nature of the gathering—many attendees were not locals—and tracking them down is proving difficult.
Catawba County Sheriff Don Brown emphasized how rare incidents like this are in the area. He noted a worrying trend of increasing violence among younger individuals, highlighting both perpetrators and victims.
In recent years, gun violence has surged across the United States. Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows that there have been over 600 mass shootings in 2023 alone. This uptick raises concerns about the safety of gatherings, especially among younger populations.
Community reactions have been mixed, with local residents expressing shock and fear over the incident. Many voiced concerns on social media, sharing their sadness and urging increased safety measures at social events.
Residents hope for swift justice and greater awareness to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Investigators continue to seek information from anyone who might have insight into the shooting or can help identify the individuals involved.
For more information on the rise of gun violence in the U.S., you can visit the Gun Violence Archive.