CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. (WJZY) — One person is dead after a reported mass shooting that left at least 11 other people hurt in Hickory, North Carolina, according to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities were called to a home in the Mountain View community, about 60 miles north of Charlotte, shortly before 1 a.m. on Sunday for reports of people shot.
Officials said 12 victims have been reported; one of whom was pronounced dead, one in critical condition, and 10 who are hospitalized in serious condition.
The deceased victim was identified as 58-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood of Lenoir.
A party was confirmed to have been happening at the home at the time of the shooting, with attendees ranging in age from teenagers to those in their 20s and older.
Major Aaron Turk said deputies first responded to the home at around 11 p.m. for a noise complaint.
As of Sunday, no arrests have been made, but investigators from the Hickory Police Department and special agents from the State Bureau of Investigation are working to establish a motive and to identify any suspects.
Officials do believe there was more than one shooter involved, with more than 80 shots fired at the scene.
Eyewitnesses told local reporters that many people attending the party were from nearby high schools and people began scattering, ducking for cover and running toward safety when shots erupted.
The Catawba County Schools told Nexstar’s WJZY in a statement that it had “no information at this time regarding whether any of our students were involved in the mass shooting incident.”
Turk said at a news conference that the street is usually quiet.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 828-464-3112.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
