Over the course of the past few weeks, several incidents have occurred in which residences were shot at, with some sustaining injuries as a result of the gunfire. Sampson County Sheriff’s authorities, while investigating the incidents, said they are stepping up patrols and attempting to secure warrants “for those responsible for such mayhem.”

Investigators are actively working to collect information and obtain warrants related to several incidents. “In response to the seriousness of these incidents,” sheriff’s officials recently coordinated with multiple state, federal and local offices to conduct saturation patrols throughout Sampson County, according to a statement from the agency.

The incidents include:

• On May 12, after 2 a.m., deputies responded to a “shots fired” call on Lockamy Road. Upon arrival deputies located three victims ranging in ages 10 to 19. The victims were transported to an undisclosed emergency department for treatment and are expected to recover.

• Later in the evening, on May 12, deputies responded to another “shots fired” call on Delway Highway. During this incident an 82-year-old female’s home was damaged by bullets. The female was not injured during the incident.

• On May 13, another report was taken by deputies about a residence on Old Warsaw Road that had been shot at in the early-morning hours. No one was injured in this incident.

• On May 13, just before midnight, deputies responded to a “shots fired” call on Faison Highway. During the incident, shots were fired into the residence where three people were living. Their ages ranged from 16 to 64 years old. No one was injured.

Sheriff’s officials said the investigation and saturation patrols “has yielded much intelligence on these incidents and has helped to provide investigators with valuable information,” an agency statement read. “More saturation patrols are planned, and we will leave no stone unturned to seek out those responsible for such mayhem.”

“The purpose of these patrols is to garner intel and to possibly identify and apprehend persons of interest,” said Sheriff Jimmy Thornton. “More importantly, increased patrols were to ensure the public that officers are diligently working to protect their communities and families.”

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is encouraged to contact the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-592-4141.