Nine people, including four teenagers, were wounded when gunfire erupted inside a crowded North Carolina banquet hall early Sunday morning.
The shooting happened at approximately 1:50 a.m. at the Royal Banquet Hall on West Gate City Boulevard in Greensboro.
Multiple people called 911 to report that someone was firing a weapon inside the business and that several victims had been hit, according to the Greensboro Police Department.
By the time officers arrived, some of the wounded had already been driven to local hospitals in private vehicles.
Investigators later determined that nine people had been struck by gunfire. The victims included a 15-year-old and three 17-year-olds.
First responders treated one person at the scene for a minor graze wound. That individual did not need to be hospitalized.
Police said all nine victims are expected to survive.
Greensboro Police Chief Kamran Afzal said investigators believe the attack was targeted and that the shooter was apparently aiming at specific people rather than everyone inside the building.
“It was a targeted event by an individual against other individuals,” Afzal said. “So it really wasn’t about targeting everybody in that event center.”
Officers took two males into custody after finding them near the scene. However, police have not announced charges or explained what role, if any, they may have played in the shooting.
Detectives are continuing to determine who opened fire and whether more than one shooter was involved.
Investigators recovered multiple weapons but have not disclosed how many guns were found, what type they were or where they were located, according to WXLV’s report on the police briefing.
The shooting came only hours after officers were called to the same banquet hall.
At approximately 11:15 p.m. Saturday, police received reports that underage people were drinking, someone might have been carrying a weapon and the building was overcrowded.
Officers responded but said they did not find anyone underage drinking or anyone armed inside the venue at that time.
Police did not say how many people were attending the event when the gunfire erupted several hours later.
Chief Afzal issued a blunt warning to parents after learning that four of the victims were minors.
“At 2:00 in the morning, they should be with you,” he said. “Not monitored by someone else.”
City Manager Nathaniel “Trey” Davis said the violence had “shaken our community” and that city officials were thinking of the victims and their families.
“The safety of our residents remains our highest priority,” Davis said.
Davis also said city leaders planned to discuss whether Greensboro should establish a curfew following the shooting. No decision has been made.
Authorities said there is no continuing threat to the public.
Police are asking anyone with information or video of the shooting to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. The investigation remains active.
