Four hurt in Iredell County barn party shooting

Four people were hospitalized after gunfire broke out at a barn party in Iredell County on Sunday, Nov. 1.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. at a venue along Coddle Creek Highway in Mooresville. Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies reported that at least 30 shots were fired during the event. Three of the injured have been released from the hospital, while the fourth remains in stable condition.

Investigators estimate that between 200 and 300 people attended the party. Driver’s licenses collected at the scene indicated that many attendees came from outside the county. A day after the shooting, empty alcohol bottles, food containers, discarded clothing, and dozens of chairs remained scattered across the property.

Capt. Julie Wyatt of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said multiple online promoters advertised the event. She believes this led to a crowd size that surprised the venue owners. “We spoke with the owners, and we are confident they had no clue how big this was going to be,” Wyatt said. “I think it hit social media and just spread like wildfire.”

No arrests have been made, and none of the victims have been publicly identified. Deputies stated there is no ongoing danger to the public. Investigators have taken about 50 witness statements so far. Wyatt noted that most witnesses only heard the shooting and did not see it, leaving investigators without a clear idea of what started the conflict.

A woman renting a home on the property described the event as very unusual. She said she was asleep and did not hear the party or the gunfire. She learned about the shooting when a Mooresville Police officer knocked on her door and told her to lock the windows and doors and stay inside. The officer had told her there was an active shooter.

Patty, a long-time resident down Coddle Creek Highway, said she had never seen anything like it at that venue. She recalled cars lined up along the highway and in the field. “It’s actually terrifying to know that many people were shooting,” Patty said. She expressed concern for neighbors with children getting off the school bus and grandchildren living in the area, noting that it is usually a quiet place.