GASTONIA, N.C. — Two 14-year-old boys were seriously injured in a shooting in Gastonia Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The Gastonia Police Department responded to a reported shooting on Laurel Lane near Robinwood Road a few minutes before 5 p.m. When officers got to the scene, they found two teens who had been shot.
Both victims, who lived nearby, were rushed to a hospital with serious injuries. As of Wednesday morning, Gastonia police said both boys' conditions had improved.
Gastonia detectives haven't released any suspect information at this time and no arrests have been made.
"Our detectives did have a chance to talk to them late last night," Rick Goodale, public information officer at GPD, told WCNC Charlotte. "They're telling us they have no idea who shot them."
Goodale said as concerning as Tuesday's shooting was, violent crime was on par with what GPD has seen since June 2022, with 16 violent crimes a month, 84 since January.
He did add, with school out, parents should keep an eye on where their children spend their time during this summer.
"Days are longer, days are hotter -- people like to congregate and hang out with friends," Goodale said. "Unfortunately, the more people you get together, there may be a chance for some violence to occur... If parents can get their kids into some summer programs, summer camps, it keeps them occupied, keeps them busy."
Anyone with information about this double shooting is urged to call Crime Stoppers of Gaston County at 704-861-8000.
Contact Jane Monreal at jmonreal@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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