Clinton, N.C. — A 4-year-old child was shot and critically injured Friday night during an attempted home invasion outside of Clinton, authorities with the Sampson County Sheriff's Office said. 

According to authorities, a man broke into a trailer on Plantation Lane about 10:30 p.m. Friday night and attempted to force his way into a bedroom in the home. When he couldn't enter the room, he fired one shot, striking a 4-year-old. 

The child's father chased the suspect from the house, but he jumped into a waiting vehicle and fled the scene, police said. 

The family drove the child to the Sampson Regional Medical Center, and he was later airlifted to an unnamed regional medical facility. He was on life support and in critical condition Saturday afternoon. 

"My thoughts and prayers are with this 4-year-old and his family," Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said. "It's bad when anyone is the victim of a crime, however it's even worse when an innocent child suffers."

Anyone with information should call the Sampson County Sheriff's Office at 910-592-4141. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 910-564-5261.

When deputies were responding to the home invasion call on Plantation Lane, a second burglary happened in a labor camp located at 2285 Turkey Highway. According to an initial investigation, three men with firearms broke into the camp and took a large television. 

Investigators weren't sure if there is a link to the two crimes.