Rewards offered for info in Sampson County child shooting

Sampson County authorities and Gov. Bev Perdue on Tuesday approved rewards totaling $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the Friday shooting of a 4-year-old Sampson County boy. 

Investigators say someone tried to force his way into the home off Plantation Lane around 10:30 p.m. Friday and that, when he couldn't make entry into a bedroom, he fired into the door and struck the boy.

The boy's father chased the gunman, who jumped into a waiting vehicle and fled.

A family friend on Monday identified the boy as Jose Santiso Vargas, the son of a migrant worker from Florida.

Jose was being treated at an undisclosed hospital Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said Jose is "hanging on."

Tuesday's rewards came from both the governor's office and the Sampson County Sheriff's Office, who each offered up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. 

"I am grateful for Governor Perdue's assistance with the reward," Thornton said. "Hopefully, this will encourage someone to come forward with the information that we need to arrest and convict the individual or individuals responsible for this senseless tragedy."

Anyone with information should call the Sampson County Sheriff's Office at 910-592-4141. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 910-564-5261.