CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. : North Carolina mass shooting leaves 1 dead, 12 injured, sheriff says

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C.  – A tragic incident unfolded early Sunday morning in Hickory, North Carolina, where a reported mass shooting has left one person dead and at least a dozen others injured. Authorities from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the shooting occurred shortly after midnight, specifically around 12:45 a.m. on June 1, in the Mountain View community—a residential area located roughly 60 miles north of Charlotte.

According to officials, local law enforcement and emergency responders arrived at the scene following multiple 911 calls reporting a large number of people being shot at a residence. The house, where the shooting took place, appeared to have been the site of a large gathering or party at the time of the violence. Upon arrival, officers and medics encountered a chaotic scene with several victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Twelve people in total were confirmed to have been shot during the incident. One of those victims was pronounced dead at the scene, while another remains in critical condition. Several of the remaining victims were transported to nearby hospitals, where they continue to receive medical treatment. The conditions of those hospitalized vary, but officials have not released specific details on the extent of the injuries for the majority of the victims.

The name of the individual who was killed has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. Authorities have also not disclosed any identities of the injured individuals as investigations continue.

As of Sunday morning, law enforcement has not yet made any arrests in connection with the shooting. The Hickory Police Department, along with investigators from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), is actively working to determine the motive behind the attack and to identify those responsible. Officials have not yet said whether they believe there were multiple shooters or if the violence stemmed from a targeted incident or an altercation that escalated.

Investigators remained on the scene throughout the early hours of Sunday, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or who may have any relevant information—such as video footage or social media content from the event—to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. They hope that additional eyewitness accounts will help to piece together the moments leading up to the shooting and provide clarity on the events that followed.

The Mountain View community, usually a quiet residential area, has been shaken by the violence. Neighbors reported hearing gunfire in the early hours and described the sound of sirens and emergency vehicles flooding the area soon after. Residents expressed shock that such a large-scale act of violence could happen in their neighborhood and extended their sympathies to the victims and their families.

Local officials and community leaders have also begun to respond to the incident, condemning the violence and calling for community cooperation in helping investigators find those responsible. The mass shooting has raised concerns about public safety, particularly regarding large gatherings, and the ease with which such violent incidents can occur.

So far, authorities have not commented on the type of weapon or weapons used in the attack, nor have they disclosed whether the shooting happened inside the home or in the surrounding area. Details about what led to the shooting, whether it was gang-related, involved a dispute, or was an isolated act of violence, remain unclear as the investigation is still in its early stages.

The Hickory Police Department and SBI have not yet indicated a timeline for when further information will be released but have assured the public that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice. They continue to encourage anyone with knowledge about the event to step forward, emphasizing that community cooperation is critical in resolving such cases.

For now, the residents of Mountain View and Hickory are left grappling with the aftermath of a senseless act of violence. The shooting adds to the growing number of mass shootings reported across the United States in recent years, once again igniting concerns about gun violence and community safety. While officials work to provide answers, the community is mourning the loss of life and hoping for the swift recovery of the injured.

Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is asked to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 828-464-3112. Investigators are particularly interested in receiving tips, videos, or photographs from the scene that may help identify the shooter or shooters involved in the deadly attack.