Underage teen charged in Lenoir County shooting that injured one man, officials say

LENOIR COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - An underage teenager has been taken into custody following a shooting that left a 19-year-old man seriously injured.

On Friday, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to the 700 block of Williams Loop Road after a reported shooting.

They found 19-year-old E.J. Smith had been shot in the arm and abdomen.

He was transported by EMS to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville for treatment of his injuries.

Deputies say the suspects involved left the scene before they arrived.

After a K-9 search of the area, an AR-style rifle was found believed to be connected to the shooting, officials say.

Through the investigation, detectives identified one of the individuals involved as a 17-year-old juvenile.

Officials say the teenager admitted to being present at the scene and stated he was involved in a struggle with Smith over the firearm when it discharged.

He was taken into custody and charged with attempted first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and larceny of a firearm, according to officials. He was placed in secure custody.

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue working to identify and locate the other individuals who were present during the incident, according to officials.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 559-6100 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at (252) 523-4444.

All information may be provided anonymously.