Police say an argument over paternity got out of hand Thursday and landed one man in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the thigh. Another man was struck by a stray bullet, but refused medical care.
Investigators are looking for a man they say fired several shots in front of a home in the 900 block of Celebration Drive, the primary street within a Habitat for Humanity subdivision. Celebration Drive is located just off Ryan Street, near Old Concord Road. Police ask for the public’s help as to the whereabouts of Samuel Lee “Rook” White, 33, of the 1100 block of Celebration Drive.
The incident began around 10:20 p.m. when a caller reported hearing several gunshots. Police Capt. Shelia Lingle said there was an ongoing issue with a neighbor, and a fight ensued. Reportedly, White argued with another man, the victim, about who was the father of a child, Lingle said.
White pulled out a gun, police said, and shot the victim in the thigh. All of the people involved are known to each other, she said.
Lingle said one man was struck in the leg by a stray bullet. He didn’t immediately realize he was shot and refused medical treatment.
Police said White pointed the gun at another man, but a woman pushed it aside before it fired.
White is expected to be charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and one count assault by pointing a gun.
The victim was taken to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center where he is in stable condition.
In 2011, White was convicted of felony drug possession, according to the N.C. Department of Correction.