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Multiple shots fired into home with 3 children, striking 6-year-old girl

Bella Young, the youngest of three children in the home, was sleeping in a living room chair when a bullet struck her around 1 a.m.

Posted Updated

By
Bryan Mims
, WRAL reporter
ROSEBORO, N.C. — A 6-year-old girl was injured Saturday when shots were fired into her Sampson County home.

Bella Young, the youngest of three children in the home, was sleeping in a living room chair when a bullet struck her around 1 a.m.

Her aunt India Dixon estimated at least ten shots were fired, leaving bullet holes in the home's siding and broken windows.

One of those bullets went through Bella's right arm and into her torso.

She was rushed to the emergency room at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Her family said her arm was nearly severed by the injury and will need to be reconstructed. The bullet is still lodged in her liver and bladder, but her family says she will survive.

Even with colorful children's toys in the front yard – balls and bikes, hinting at children inside the home – officials believe the house was targeted for the gunfire. They also believe there were two guns involved in the shooting.

"She's the smallest one out of the bunch," said Dixon. "This shouldn't have happened."

She said she doesn't know why anyone would target them.

On Monday, Bella was recovering in UNC Hospital and was able to get up, walk around and drink apple juice. She said she was disappointed to have missed Halloween – she had been excited to wear her costume. She'd planned to dress up as Elsa from the Disney movie "Frozen."

"She's very sad that she missed Halloween," said Dixon. "She said it's not fair."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-592-4141.

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