FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Statesville Police Department is investigating a pair of drive-by shootings that left one child dead and two others injured on Monday evening.

SPD officers responded to a call reporting a shooting at 1309 Wilson Lee Boulevard at 6:56 p.m., police said.

Responding officers located a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy suffering from gunshot wounds outside of the residence, according to the news release. Officers began performing life-saving efforts until Iredell County EMS personnel arrived on the scene.

Both children were transported from the scene to the hospital, where the 9-year-old child succumbed to her injuries, police said. The 7-year-old child was receiving treatment for his injuries Monday night.

Witnesses told SPD officers that a subject opened fire, wounding the children, while traveling south in the 1300 block of Wilson Lee Boulevard from inside a white sedan — possibly a Mercedes, according to the news release.

Around 8:34 p.m., while SPD personnel were processing the crime scene at 1309 Wilson Lee Boulevard, they heard gunshots and responded to 316 New Bern Avenue, where a 10-year-old boy suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound, police said.

Witnesses said the child was wounded by a subject shooting from inside  a white sedan — possibly a Honda Accord, according to the news release.

Investigators do not believe the children were the intended targets, police said.

Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Mooresville Police Department officers responded and assisted with crowd control and scene security.

“We are actively investigating these cases and asking if anyone has information regarding these violent crimes, please contact the Statesville Police Department,” police said in the news release. “If you saw the murder of this innocent child and injuries to the other innocent children, you must help in solving these cases. If you have evidence or information regarding the shooters, please contact us.”