MORGANTON, N.C. — A man was lying in bed when a bullet flew through his home’s wall and hit him, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office said.
It happened at a home along Pete Brittian Road, just a minute into the new year.
[ ALSO READ: Police, victims warn against firing guns on New Year's Eve ]
Deputies said the man was shot in the ankle and is expected to be OK.
They said several neighbors heard the shot, but they don’t know who fired the gun.
On Thursday, Channel 9 could see where the round pierced the outside of the mobile home.
The sheriff said he believes this may have been a case of someone celebrating New Year’s Eve with a firearm.
Channel 9 spoke with neighbors who found out about the shooting minutes after it happened.
“I don’t think it is really safe. Fireworks are one thing, but like, shooting randomly into the sky is something everyone should know not to do because that could come down and hit anyone,” neighbor Ray Vargas said.
Deputies reminded the public to always act responsibly with a gun. They said you should always have a backstop when target practicing or hunting, and you should never shoot into the air when you can’t predict where the bullets will go.
They’re asking anyone with information to call the Sheriff’s Office at 828-438-5500 or Morganton/Burke Crimestoppers at 828-437-3333.
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