Three children were shot Monday night in two separate drive-by shootings in Statesville. One has died.
Two children were shot outside a home on Wilson Lee Boulevard shortly before 7pm. One child was a nine-year-old girl and the other was a seven-year-old boy. The nine-year old girl has died. Witnesses told Statesville Police a white vehicle, possibly a Mercedes, drove by with someone shooting from the car. Both children were rushed to hospitals.
Around 8:30 pm, Officers investigating the shooting heard gunshots. They responded to a location nearby on New Bern Avenue. A 10-year old boy had been shot. His injuries are said to be non-life-threatening. Reports indicate that a white vehicle, perhaps a Honda Accord drove by with someone shooting.
Statesville Police indicate they don’t believe the children were the intended targets of the shootings.
Update: 4:30 am…Statesville Police has issued the following statement
“We are actively investigating these cases and asking if anyone has information regarding these violent crimes, please contact the Statesville Police Department. If you saw the murder of this innocent child and injuries to the other innocent children, you must help in solving these cases. If you have evidence or information regarding the shooters, please contact us. We do not believe the children were the intended targets.”
Update: 6:40am
The grandmother of the child killed identifies the girl as Ah’miyahh Howell. She says Ah’miyahh was only eight years old and had not yet turned nine as previously reported.