The Southern Pines Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on W. Illinois Avenue on Friday morning.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire in the area of W. Illinois Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located numerous spent shell casings in the road. The investigation determined that a residence in the 900 block of W. Illinois Avenue was the apparent intended target, the police department said in a press release.
The home and a vehicle were both struck multiple times by gunfire. Officers made contact with the home’s sole occupant, who was unharmed.
While speaking with the occupant, officers noticed smoke accumulating inside the residence. They discovered a small fire in an area of the home that had been struck by gunfire. Officers used fire extinguishers from their patrol vehicles to contain the fire until Southern Pines Fire and Rescue personnel arrived and fully extinguished it. Fire personnel are continuing to investigate the cause and origin of the fire.
Investigators with the Southern Pines Police Department’s Investigations Division responded to process the crime scene and collect evidence. More than 50 pieces of physical evidence were recovered, said the release.
Based on the information available at this time, the release said that investigators do not believe this was a random act of violence, and there is no known ongoing threat to the community.
Investigators are working to identify and apprehend the individual(s) responsible. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Southern Pines Police Department at (910) 692-7031 or the SPPD Tip Line at (910) 693-4110. Callers may remain anonymous.
On Saturday, June 27, a person was shot twice in the leg at 4 p.m. on N. Stephens Street. The person suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
A juvenile suspect was taken into custody in the days that followed. The shooting was not a random act of violence. It was an isolated incident.
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File photo.
