The Wilson County Sheriff's Office says they've arrested a 14-year-old for shooting passing cars on U.S. Highway 264.
The juvenile, who isn't named due to his age, faces 20 counts of discharging a barreled weapon into an occupied vehicle and an additional 20 counts of damage to personal property.
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The Sheriff's Office says they received multiple calls Thursday morning from more drivers whose vehicles were shot as they traveled in the area on Wednesday, and detectives determined that all of the vehicles were traveling east on Hwy. 264 near the Mamie Road area. Because the shots were hitting the passenger sides of the vehicles and shooting out passenger-side windows, detectives were able to figure out where the shots were coming from and recover a spent round, which turned out to be a pellet from a high-powered pellet rifle.
Nearby, detectives found two makeshift ground blinds using natural shrubbery built against a fence along the roadway. More pellet ammunition and several rounds of BBs were also found at that location.
From the evidence and their investigation, WCSO detectives were able to bring charges against a local 14-year-old who was taken into custody after deputies conferred with counselors from the Juvenile Court System.
Sheriff Woodard released the following statement about the incident:
“The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office was working on the case since the first report was made to us. At no time was Highway 264 rendered unsafe due to constant patrols and covert surveillance in the area. Details of the investigation needed to be confidential so that evidence could not be destroyed and the person involved in these immoral acts could be located and arrested. The detectives and administration worked throughout the day and night following a multitude of leads; however, “old-fashion” legwork was the key to locating the area where the victim’s vehicles were struck, the alleged weapon, and additional evidence to solidify the case. The Sheriff’s Office appreciate the assistance of the NC Highway Patrol’s Airwing and Troop C5 who flew the area on Thursday for additional coverage and the North Carolina SBI. Deputies will continue patrols as they always have and we will always work to assure the safety of the citizens and those who commute each and every day throughout Wilson County.”
On Wednesday, the Bailey Police Department posted the first warning for drivers on Facebook.
The Wilson County Sheriff's Office confirmed Thursday that at least five cars have been hit near Exit 38 for Interstate 95.
Officials said they took multiple calls about the shootings on Wednesday between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
"The calls were received randomly at different locations; however, each caller reported that they were traveling eastbound on U.S. 264 near the 38-mile marker," a press release from Wilson read.
Several people commented on the Bailey Police Department's post saying that their cars were hit.
"They got us on Thursday," posted one woman from the Mt. Olive area, sharing a photo of damage to the door of her blue car.
Two men also claimed their cars were damaged. One said he believes his car was shot at Monday afternoon, while the other said his car was shot at Tuesday afternoon and posted a photo of a shattered passenger side window.
"Thank you for the information," he wrote. "Unfortunately my vehicle has already been hit in the same area. Wilson County Sheriff’s Office was notified. Anyone and everyone please call 911 as soon as possible when this happens."
Deputies spent Wednesday night and Thursday morning working on the case and patrolling the area, officials said.