Multiple shootings in Henderson result in state of emergency, temporary curfew; children injured

The city of Henderson issued a state of emergency and temporary citywide curfew Thursday following a rash of gun violence in recent days.

The curfew will begin immediately, going in effect nightly at 10 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m., when residents are encouraged to stay inside their homes "for their own safety" unless traveling for work or medical reasons.

The curfew will be in effect for five days or until the mayor declares it has ended. 

According to police, the curfew comes after multiple gun incidents since Jan. 20, some including juveniles under the age of 18.

On Jan. 20 alone, there were at least four shooting incidents in Henderson, including an incident on Wester Avenue involving three people shot, including a 7-month-old baby. Police said a preliminary investigation determined the three were parked in front of a home on Wester Avenue when a dark-colored SUV pulled alongside their vehicle and started shooting. The SUV then drove away toward East Winder Street.

There were also shots fired in the 1800 block of South Garnett Street. According to police, a woman sitting inside a vehicle in her yard was not hit, but her vehicle and a neighboring vehicle were damaged by gunfire.

Later that evening, another woman was shot in the leg inside a home in the 600 block of Roberson Street. Additionally, a 16-year-old girl was struck in the hand by gunfire in the 900 block of Water Street. The victims were all treated for their injuries.

In an emergency meeting on Thursday night, Mayor Melissa Elliott said, "I just want to be clear ... in the last 72 hours we've had two juveniles [impacted] that had absolutely nothing to do with anything ... this is public safety."

Police are working to make arrests in the shootings. The incidents are under investigation by the Henderson Police Department with assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation. Police believe the shootings are not random but targeted and retaliatory in nature. Certain neighborhoods are believed to be targeted, but the entire city is impacted by the shootings, the mayor said.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the Henderson Police Department or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.