Horse accidentally shot, killed in Union County

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UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County woman said she was heartbroken after a group who was reportedly target shooting near her home on the Fourth of July shot and killed her horse.

“Joby gave me a lot of pleasure. He was my heart,” Susanne Wright said about her horse.

When Wright heard loud noises on Monday, she looked out into her pasture near Zebulon Williams Road and knew something was wrong.

“When I got out here, he was standing up and shaking and sweating profusely," she said about the horse. "I looked at his side, and I did see a hole and blood coming out.”

Union County investigators said a necropsy and any bullet fragments found will determine the type of gun used, which could lead to charges.

Wright said it was hard to look into her horse’s eyes during his final moments.

“I felt so helpless,” she said.

Wright said it’s not the first time someone has started target shooting so close to her home.

She said she wants to plan a memorial for Joby to honor him and let the community know that she wants justice.

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