North Carolina Church Playground Sprayed With Bullets
A 12-year-0ld boy was gravely injured and three others were shot when a gunman sprayed a playground with gunfire.
The Rev. James Gailliard at Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount said the shooting happened shortly before 6 p.m. Monday, as about two dozen neighborhood teens played basketball on courts behind the sanctuary.
Gailliard was in his office when he heard more than 15 gunshots and ran outside. Among those hit was 12-year-old Nyreek Horne, who the preacher said was shot in the head. He cradled the bleeding boy until help arrived.
“In our community, we do hear gunshots from time to time. But what was different this time was that it was so close and it was so many,” Gailliard said. “I held him in my arms until the paramedics got there. He was shot in the eye and the bullet went out the back of his brain. He was struggling to breathe, but he was fighting.”
Police said Tuesday that Horne remained in critical condition.