LILLINGTON, N.C. — A deadly shooting in Harnett County on Tuesday evening has left two people dead and a third hospitalized, and a 15-year-old male is now in custody following an intense search by law enforcement.
According to the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 5:18 p.m. to a residence at 15 Kentucky Derby Lane in the Trotters Ridge subdivision, near the unincorporated Barbecue community. Initial reports indicated multiple individuals had been shot inside the home.
Upon arrival, deputies found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The extent of the surviving victim’s injuries has not yet been released.
Authorities initially warned residents to remain cautious as the suspect remained at large, sparking a community-wide alert. Multiple agencies, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), joined the search effort. By late Tuesday night, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the teenage suspect had been located and taken into custody without further incident.
Officials have not released the names of the victims or the suspect, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the suspect’s juvenile status. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed whether the victims and suspect were related.
Neighbors described the area as a typically quiet and family-friendly community, expressing shock at the violence. “It’s unsettling,” one resident told local reporters. “We’ve never had anything like this happen here. Everyone’s in disbelief.”
The High Falls of Harnett County are no stranger to tragedy, but incidents of this magnitude are rare. Sheriff’s deputies maintained a heavy presence in the neighborhood for several hours after the shooting, blocking off road access while crime scene investigators worked.
Authorities have reassured residents that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public. More details, including victim identities and possible charges, are expected to be released in the coming days.
The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them at (910) 893-9111 or submit tips anonymously through their website.