SANFORD — August 2, 1996 - 3:42 p.m. EDT

Two people have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a 9-year-old boy outside his Sanford home.

Connell Sutton of Sanford is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury and discharging a firearm within city limits. He is being held on $5,000 bond.

Dorothy Ann McBryde, also of Sanford, is charged with aiding and abetting. She is free on $5,000 bond.

Robert Phillips was playing in his yard Wednesday evening when several shots were fired. One of the shots hit him in the side. He underwent surgery Wednesday night and remains at Central Carolina Hospital.

Others in his neighborhood worry, not only about his recovery, but about the safety of their neighborhood in general.

Lisa and George Harris say they won't take chances any more. They say they now fear for their own children's safety.

The Harris family, and others in the area, now sit outside and watch while their children play.

Regina McIntyre, another concerned parent, says she's taking play more seriously now.

Parents say the children have not really been affected yet by the incident because the sound of gunshots has become common.

Now, says Lisa Harris, things have gone too far.