A 5-year-old child was taken to the hospital after being shot in Robeson County, according to Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. The child then died of his injuries.
Sheriff Wilkins says the child was taken to the Red Springs Police Department in a private car before being taken to the hospital. He identified the child as Alva Paisley Oxendine of North Hilltop Road in Red Springs.
Wilkins says the shooting was the result of a fight between two groups of people. Oxendine was struck by a bullet while sitting inside the back seat of his mother’s car. His brother was also in the back seat at the time.
The two groups had fought earlier during the day and agreed to meet at the location on Highway 72 west to fight again.
According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, investigators have interviewed at least 20 people and have looked at video taken of the fight that led up to the shooting.
Oxendine’s older brother was also interviewed today. He is seven years old and officials said he told Alva to get down when he heard the gunshots.
Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton tells us the hospital was on lockdown earlier tonight after the victim was brought in. The hospital is no longer on lockdown.
Law enforcement officers were investigating a vehicle at the police department. They cleared the scene just before 10 p.m. Wednesday evening.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with video or information is asked to call the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 671-3170.
Count on News13 for updates.
