Two people were injured and two are in custody after gunfire from Sandy Ridge apartments broke up Dixie Youth baseball this evening.
Whiteville Police Chief Douglas Ipock said the gunfire broke out shortly before 7 p.m. The shooting is an active crime scene at the time of this writing.
The shooting broke out during the Dixie Boys Showcase, where players try out for teams. Games were also underway at the Rec Center, and T-ball practice was underway when multiple gunshots rang out.
Around 30 children from preschool through early teens were on the fields at the time. Witnesses said City Manager Darren Currie, Parks and Rec director Blake Spivey and parks employee Charlotte Almada moved a number of the ball players to the concrete dugouts, while parents and children huddled behind cars in the parking lot.
Multiple EMS units were called to the scene. Radio traffic indicated one person sustained a head injury, but it wasn’t clear if it was related to the shooting.
One person was airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
The Sheriff’s Office, State Bureau of Investigation and Highway Patrol also assisted, Ipock said.
Crisis counselors will be available until midnight at Carolyn’s Kaleidoscope Child Advocacy Center at 219 N. Lee Street, Whiteville. Parents and children are welcome.
This is a developing story. Stay with CCN and WTXY for the latest.
