
WILMINGTON — Police continue to deal with a series of shootings in Wilmington, as gunfire Wednesday night and Thursday morning left one man seriously wounded; these are the fourth and fifth shootings this week in the greater downtown Wilmington area.
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According to the Wilmington Police Department (WPD), on Wednesday night around 10 p.m., a residence in the Hillcrest public housing development just off Dawson Street near 16th Street was hit by at least one round, although several shots were apparently fired. In October, a 23-year-old woman was injured by gunfire in the same area.
On Thanksgiving morning, a man was left in serious condition after a shooting on the 3000 block of Princess Place Drive shortly after 10 a.m. According to WPD, witnesses said the man was shot while walking through a vacant field in the area. After being wounded, the man apparently ran towards the nearby Creekwood housing community and collapsed near Emory Street.
WPD officers provided first aid until the victim could be transported to the New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Since last Friday, there have been five shootings around the greater downtown area, leaving at least five people wounded, two seriously. Police are still investigating and have not said whether or not they believe the incidents to be related to each other, or whether they believe them to be gang-related. WPD arrested a validated gang member on Tuesday for a lunchtime shooting on Red Cross Street.
According to WPD, “[t]here is no suspect information at this time,” for the Thursday morning shooting. “Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Wilmington police at (910)-343-3609 or visit www.tip708.com for anonymous methods.”