Shooting in Clinton Leaves One Dead, Three Injured: Sheriff Seeks Motive

Clinton, North Carolina – A tragic shooting incident in Clinton has left one person dead and three others injured. The shooting took place on Boykin Road, a quiet rural road in a residential area near Beulah Road and US-701 just south of Clinton. Crime scene tape surrounded a wooded area beside a home on a dirt road, with investigators marking off over 80 shell casings as evidence.

Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton expressed his concern about the violence, stating that the incident may have been motivated by reasons unclear to the community. Eyewitness Joanne Murphy described seeing two cars idling before gunfire erupted, with a person firing multiple shots. Murphy also witnessed a gun being thrown from a vehicle during the chaotic scene.

The individuals involved in the shooting incident took themselves to Sampson Regional Medical Center for treatment. Sadly, one person succumbed to their injuries, while the remaining three were stabilized and expected to recover. The hospital was placed on lockdown as law enforcement officials probed the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Residents in the neighborhood, such as Katherine Fields, expressed shock and disbelief that such violence could occur in their community. Fields, a longtime resident, mentioned being alerted to the incident by her surveillance camera and extended prayers to those affected. Detectives combed through her front yard, searching for any potential evidence related to the shooting.

As the investigation unfolds, the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office has refrained from speculating on the factors that led to the shooting. The incident has left the community shaken, with residents emphasizing the importance of safety and vigilance in the wake of such violence. The authorities continue their efforts to piece together the events that transpired on that fateful day in Clinton.