Police: Fayetteville church was not a target in weekend shooting
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Authorities continue the search for a gunman who caused damage to a local church Sunday morning.
On Monday, Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock said Lewis Chapel Baptist Church was not a target when it was hit by gunfire early Sunday.
"We believe the church was the backdrop to an idiot with a gun firing a gun without regard to others, and the church sustained the damage," said Medlock.
Police responded to a reported shooting at Duke and Dairy Streets around 3:15 a.m. Sunday. That's about a tenth of a mile from the church, and directly across the street.
People eating in the nearby Raeford Road Denny's called 911, but didn't stick around to talk to authorities, police said.
When investigators got to the scene, they found 18 shell casing in the intersection.
Several hours later, members of Lewis Chapel Baptist Church called police about several bullet holes in the church building.
No one was injured, but police said the church was struck nine times.
Medlock believes the two shootings are related.
"It just demonstrates the dangers of an idiot with a firearm," said Medlock. "They may be shooting at someone who might be shooting at them, but they don't realize there's a backdrop."
Investigators are comparing the shell casings recovered from the church and the intersection, as well as comparing them to a database of other shell casings from separate shootings in the city.
Anyone with information regarding either of these two incidents is asked to contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1529, (910) 433-1530, or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically, by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by text-a-tip on your mobile device by sending a message to 274637 (in the text box type "4Tip" followed by your message).
