ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — The Elizabeth City Police Department is investigating a shooting that hurt an 8-year-old and a 17-year-old on Monday night.
According to police, multiple shots rang out on Speed Street near Madrin Lane at 6:36 p.m.
"Unfortunately, we’re back before you again with another injured child," Elizabeth City Police Chief Phil Webster said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
Webster said the 8-year-old boy was outside playing when someone shot him in the arm. A 17-year-old boy was also struck in the leg.
"It is unknown at this time when or how the 17-year-old received his injuries, but we do know it occurred on Speed Street," he said.
Both of them were taken to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center and have since been released from the hospital.
Their names have not been released because they are underage.
Chief Webster said numerous people started shooting, but they don’t know exactly how many. He added that this is the fifth person under the age of 18 shot in Elizabeth City since February.
In February, three teens and one adult were shot at the Walker Landing Apartments.
"We can’t even have our children playing. We’re tired of it. We’re not going to have it in our city," he said.
City Manager Montre' Freeman called on the community to come forward with any information about the shooting
"Help us make home, home," he said. "The summer is on the way and I love to have kids playing all over the city as we plan the summer events."
Mayor Rivers said too many kids have access to guns and he has a message to any young people listening.
"What you’re seeing on TV, when they’re shooting at each other, people die. An 8-year-old got shot. Could have died. Thank God that he’s okay, but we have to let our young people know, put the guns down."
This is an ongoing investigation. If you have any information that could help police, contact the Elizabeth City Police Department at 252-335-4321 or the Crime Line at 252-335-5555.