STATESVILLE, N.C. -- Statesville officers drove slowly and watched closely as they patrolled the neighborhood where gunshots erupted along School Street on Wednesday afternoon. A day care center is just yards away.

Margaret Campbell, a concerned neighbor, said, "It's dangerous for the day care and the neighbors. I'm a senior citizen I can't walk fast, much less run."

Detectives said the frightening incident started when a man with a gun broke into a house, demanded money and then fired a warning shot. That's when a robbery turned into a shootout.

According to detectives, the gunman shot at the house while he ran away. At the same time, two of the victims inside shot at the robber.

Statesville Police Lt. Bill Halliburton explained why he doesn't see crimes like this very often.

"To commit a home invasion in the middle of the day, with people that possible know you, it's pretty brazen for him to do that," he said.

Halliburton said he’s thankful no one was injured in the shooting.

Campbell said she is just upset violence is in her neighborhood.

"I'm really appalled at what happened, and I'm disturbed about it because I have great grandchildren coming up now," she said.

Detectives said they're following leads and hope to have a suspect and make an arrest soon.