Four Sampson County residents watching television Sunday evening were surprised when three males burst through their back door, robbed them at gunpoint and left two suffering from minor head injuries.

According to reports from the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, the residents were reportedly in their living room Sunday, at a home located just south of Clinton on Cricket Lane, when the men burst through the back door brandishing weapons and demanding money.

The incident happened around 8:15 p.m.

Two of the four people inside the house reportedly ran out the front door while the other two gave up their wallets and were allegedly assaulted. One of the victims managed to reach the neighbor’s home to call 911, but the other victim was met by a fourth suspect holding a gun near the neighbor’s home and was taken back to his house.

When investigators arrived, they discovered two of the four residents — a 35-year-old male and a 33-year-old male — suffering from minor facial bleeding; one had a injury to the back of the head. Both refused medical treatment at the scene.

According to investigators, information about the attackers was limited. The vehicle was identified as a dark SUV, possibly a Ford Explorer, and all four suspects were listed as black males.

“There wasn’t a lot of information that the victims could give us,” said Cpl. Marcus Smith Monday morning. “We do know that there were four black males who came into the home. Their faces were covered with bandannas and they drove away in a dark SUV,;that is about all we have to go on right now.”

Information is needed in hopes of putting the suspects behind bars, Smith stressed. When they do, the four men will be facing first degree burglary and robbery with a dangerous weapon charges, both felonies.

If you have any information on this case or may have been in the area at the time of the incident, you are asked to call the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-592-4141. All tips will be anonymous.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send email to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.