MOUNT AIRY, N.C. — A quiet afternoon in this northwestern North Carolina town turned into tragedy Thursday when gunfire erupted on Samurai Lane, leaving two teens dead and two others seriously wounded, authorities say. The Surry County Sheriff’s Office responded just after 2 p.m. to reports of a shooting near Welcome Baptist Church Road, where neighbors first heard the shots.
Officers arriving at the scene found four victims with gunshot wounds. An 18‑year‑old man was pronounced dead on the spot. Another, a 17‑year‑old, later died at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston‑Salem. The two remaining teens — one 18 and another 17 — were taken to the same hospital, with one in stable condition and the other still critical.
By nightfall, investigators had arrested four suspects connected to the shooting: two juveniles under 18 and two adults. Sheriff’s deputies charged each of them with two counts of felony first‑degree murder along with charges of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Authorities have not released names as the case remains active and under investigation.
Neighbors told reporters the area near the church was cordoned off for hours as law enforcement processed evidence and interviewed witnesses. Welcome Baptist Church posted that none of its members were involved in the incident, though the sound of gunfire shocked residents gathered outside.
Mount Airy sits just a short drive from the Virginia border, known for its small‑town feel and close‑knit community. Thursday’s shooting rattled many here, especially parents and teens who have lived through occasional local crimes but seldom mass violence of this scale.
At a press briefing, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation confirmed it was assisting county detectives in piecing together what led up to the shooting. No further details on motive have been released, and officials warned that additional charges could be coming as the investigation unfolds.
Family members of the victims have not yet made public statements as authorities work to notify next of kin. Community leaders are urging calm and offering support services to those affected, including grief counseling and student outreach programs at local schools.
