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Man killed, child seriously hurt in Salisbury shooting

No suspects have been arrested at this time, but police say the shooting wasn't random.

SALISBURY, N.C. — An 80-year-old man was killed and a child was seriously injured in a shooting in Salisbury early Saturday, police said. 

Salisbury Police responded to a report of shots fired on Rowan Mill Road around 5:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they found 80-year-old Charles William dead from a gunshot wound. 

Witnesses said the gunshots startled them awake. 

"I'm laying in bed, I hear 15 shots. I counted them out," Caleb Mills said. "Then there's a five-second pause, then four more get fired off." 

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Another neighbor said it "sounded like a war." 

"Pretty much wanted to stay on the ground until everything stopped," the person said. "Tried to make sure I didn't get hit."

Around the same time, the child showed up at Novant Health's hospital with gunshot wounds they suffered during the shooting. The child was taken to another hospital and remains in critical condition, police said. 

"However, based on the evidence and information gathered during the ongoing investigation, we want to reassure the community that this was not a random incident," a spokesperson for the police department said, adding, "There has been no direct threat identified to the broader community although we urge community members to remain vigilant."

So far, no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. People can submit videos or other tips anonymously through the Salisbury Police Department's Facebook page.

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