‘Can’t be living like this’: 2 teens shot at Hickory apartments

HICKORY, N.C. — Two teen boys were shot Wednesday night at an apartment complex, according to reports from the Hickory Police Department.

The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. at the Waverly Ridge apartments on First Street Southeast.

Police said they received reports that a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were standing on the front porch of one of the apartments when they were shot.

A relative, who didn’t want to be identified said the teens were visiting the home.

The shooters appeared to be just as young as the victims, witnesses told Channel 9′s Ken Lemon.

Neighbor Ernestine Robinson was about 30 yards away.

“All I heard was ‘pow, pow, pow,’” Robinson said. “Scared me to death.”

She said a couple of young guys ran around one of the buildings and shot at a group of teens standing on the porch.

“I’m praying for them boys to come out of this because they (are) sweet kids,” Robinson said. “They didn’t bother nobody.”

Neighbors said several younger children were playing outside at the time and fortunately, they were not injured.

Robinson told Lemon it’s the latest in a string of shootings recently.

“We got to have somewhere to live. We can’t be living like this,” Robinson said.

Neighbors said the people who live in the apartment left the house after the shooting and haven’t come back.

They also said the family keeps to themselves and they stay out of trouble.

One of the shooting victims was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte and is in critical condition.

The other victim was also hospitalized and is in critical condition.

As of Thursday, police said no charges have been filed in connection with this case.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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