Spree of drive-by shootings puts rural North Carolina community on edge, cops say

A series of mysterious drive-by shootings has put a crossroads community on edge in eastern North Carolina.

The Bertie County Sheriff’s Office isn’t sure the danger is over in Merry Hill, so stationary patrol cars have been assigned to the rural area. Merry Hill is an unincorporated community of about 700 people, a 130-mile drive east of Raleigh.

No injuries have been reported.

“Citizens of Merry Hill please be vigilant and alert and call if you see anything suspicious,” the sheriff’s office said in a Dec. 5 Facebook post.

“Our investigators are working to identify persons responsible for these acts. Thus far in the investigation, these acts have been specifically targeted at targeted addresses.”

Three shootings were reported Dec. 4 and Dec. 5: Two on NC 45 North and one on NC Highway 17, the sheriff’s office said. The shootings occurred between 5 p.m. and midnight.

“Investigators have received information of persons of interest and will be following up on all leads,” the sheriff’s office said.

Details of damage caused by the gunfire have not been released.