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Smithfield man charged in triple shooting

Smithfield police have arrested Shanquan Dakell Padgett, 21, in connection with a shooting Thursday afternoon that injured three people, including a 3-year-old boy.

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SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Smithfield police said Friday that they have arrested a man in connection with a shooting Thursday that injured three people, including a 3-year-old boy.

Shanquan Dakell Padgett, 21, of 509 Mill St., Smithfield, has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Authorities expect to make more arrests in the case.

Police were called to Padgett's home around 1:40 p.m. Thursday, when they found a 24-year-old man, 34-year-old woman and her son, who were coming out of a neighboring home when they were shot.

In a 911 call released Friday, a woman said she saw both a white car and a brown car filled with people and that the brown car sped off after the shooting.

The caller also said that children were just getting home from school.

"We got kids that just got off the bus," the 911 caller said. "We got a lot of kids that we're trying to protect right now."

Deana Harris, who lives in the neighborhood, described the scene as chaotic.

"We heard gunshots and a car sped away, and we saw the lady that got shot in the leg," Harris said. "She was hopping around, and the baby was screaming."

Police haven't released the victims' names, but the woman's brother identified her as Ofelia Salazar. She was shot near her foot, the brother said. Her son, Brian Salazar, was shot near the knee.

The 24-year-old male victim was treated and released from Johnston Memorial Hospital Thursday afternoon.

The mother and child were also taken to the hospital but were transferred to a different medical facility, a hospital spokeswoman said. Ofelia Salazar was in good condition Friday afternoon, but the condition of her son was not released. Their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Police haven't said how the victims and Padgett might know each another, but investigators said they believe the child and his mother were innocent bystanders to the shooting.

Detectives said their investigation is ongoing and ask that anyone with information that could help them with the case to contact the Smithfield Police Department at 919-989-1072 or 919-989-8835.

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