It happened around 3:15 p.m. in the 900-block of Slocumb Street in Beestown.
The three victims were identified as 20-year-old Robert Cole, 23-year-old Tyron Jones, and 23-year-old Kendall Boone.
Detectives said their preliminary investigation shows 17-year-old Malik Ward - of Wilmington Avenue, Goldsboro - shot Cole in the face and then traded gunfire with another person - resulting in the two other injuries.
Police have warrants for Ward charging him with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon. They said he should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who can help police find him is asked to call Goldsboro police at (919) 580-4203 or CrimeStoppers at (919) 735-2255.
