A night of celebration turned to chaos in a quiet North Carolina community when gunfire erupted during a house party, leaving one person dead and eleven others injured.
The shooting occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday, June 1, in the Mountain View community near Hickory—about 60 miles northwest of Charlotte. Deputies with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of shots fired at a residence on Walnut Acres Drive around 12:45 a.m.
What began as a pool party with nearly 100 attendees—including juveniles—quickly spiraled into a violent and tragic scene. Witnesses described the gunfire as mostly happening outside and “seemingly random.”
The sheriff’s office confirmed a total of 12 victims: one person has died, another remains in critical condition, and several others are hospitalized. The identities of the victims have not been released, and it’s still unclear whether they were residents of the home or related in any way.
The crime scene spans multiple areas—inside the house, the front and back yards, and even an adjacent yard—indicating the widespread nature of the violence. Authorities confirmed that multiple firearms were involved, though the specific types remain under investigation.
No arrests have been made, and officials have not yet identified any suspects. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office and Hickory Police Department are leading the investigation, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to determine a motive and track down those responsible.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation,” said Maj. Aaron Turk of the sheriff’s office. “We’re urging anyone who may have information to come forward.”
Anyone with tips is encouraged to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 828-464-3112.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families as the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy.
