What is being called an “unofficial house party” on Faison Highway late Saturday night into Sunday morning became the site of the latest in what is believed to be a series of targeted shootings spanning both Sampson and Duplin counties.
In this latest shooting incident, three individuals were injured, one suffering from what Marcus Smith, chief deputy with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, said were multiple gunshot wounds. The unidentified victim, taken to an undisclosed hospital, is expected to recover.
The incidents took place around midinght., with the party occurring at 9250 Faison Highway.
Smith said he believes the latest shootings, as well as the others in both counties, are gang-related.
“At this time, there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the general public,” Smith assured.
While responding deputies found one victim at the 9250 Faison Hwy. house Sunday morning, two additional victims had been taken to Sampson Regional Medical Center with minor gunshot wounds Smith said they sustained at the same Faison Highway house, all believed to be tied to the targeted shootings.
Clinton Police responded to the local hospital where two of the victims were taken. Upon their arrival, officers locked down the medical center for a brief period of time to ensure the safety of the public.
Smith said the initial investigation into the Sunday morning shootings show the victims were attending an unofficial house party that had been promoted on social media. Shots, he further noted, were fired from multiple individuals spanning the distance from the residence into the Dollar General Market parking lot on Faison Highway.
Individuals at the party, the chief deputy said, provided little information that would assist investigators in identifying those responsible.
Smith said officers suspect the Sunday morning shootings plus another 11 others — two in Sampson and nine in Duplin — are connected.
One of those shootings killed 59-year-old Annie Jane Faison, of 58 Darion Lane, Turkey on May 20 when at least one gunshot fired into her house struck her.
The chief deputy said the investigation remains active.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or any of the others is encouraged to contact the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-592-4141.
Deputy forced
off roadway
A deputy, responding to the Sunday morning shootings, was forced off the roadway by an oncoming vehicle attempting to pass in a no-passing zone on Faison Highway.
Smith said the deputy took evasive action to avoid a collision, causing the patrol vehicle to leave the roadway and enter a ditch.
The deputy, Smith said, was not seriously injured but was evaluated at Sampson Regional. The patrol car received only minor damage.