House Party Shooting Kills 1, Injures 11

A mass shooting at a Catawba County house party attended by at least 100 people killed 58-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood of Lenoir and injured 11 others early Sunday morning. Seven victims, ranging in age from 16 to 58, remain hospitalized.

Deputies first responded to the home on Walnut Acres Drive at 11 p.m. Saturday night after receiving a noise complaint. Officials believe there was more than one shooter involved, as 80-plus shots were fired from multiple weapons at the scene.

Eyewitnesses say many of the people at the party were local high school students.

Anyone with information should contact the FBI or Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 828-464-3112. The Hickory Police Department and State Bureau of Investigation are also assisting with the investigation.

More Firearms Being Seized at NC Airports

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is reporting a trend of more firearms being seized at security checkpoints this year. According to the Transportation Security Administration, 34 firearms have been found during RDU security checkpoints so far in 2025—similar to last year’s total despite 150,000 fewer travelers.

In March, TSA reported that 50 guns had been found at North Carolina airports during security checkpoints in January and February, an increase of 18 firearms compared to that same period in 2024. 

Last year, at least 100 guns were seized at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, an increase from the previous three years.

TSA rules allow passengers to travel with firearms only if they’re unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, placed in checked baggage, and declared to the airline at check-in.

Wildfire Haze Morphs Sun’s Appearance

A haze caused by wildfires in three Canadian provinces lingered across North Carolina’s skies Monday after windy conditions carried the smoke as far south as the Gulf Coast. It also changed the way the sun looked.

Local meteorologists say that while the haze doesn’t threaten our air quality like it does in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, it has impacted how the sun appears during sunrise and sunset, when the sun’s beams pass through more atmosphere and smoke particles scatter light, filtering out blues and leaving warmer tones.

WRAL viewers sent in several photos showing how the smoke gave the sun a large, glowing appearance on Sunday. Check them out here.

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➤ Statewide: A 7.5% insurance rate hike impacting North Carolina homeowners took effect June 1, raising annual premiums by an average of about $243. (More)

➤ Holden Beach: First responders rescued four people Saturday beyond public access waters at The Point after two men swam out to rescue a man and a teen girl fighting a rip current. All four were safely brought back, with two briefly hospitalized. (More)

➤ Wake County: State lawmakers are blocking a toll road plan to fund the widening of Capital Boulevard between Raleigh and Wake Forest, a move local leaders warn could delay the project by decades. (See Details)

➤ Durham’s Streets at Southpoint mall reopened Sunday after a weekend bomb scare and fireworks mistaken for gunfire shut operations down. (More)

➤ Southport: An alligator was safely removed by police and Animal Protection Services from the bottom of a residential pool on East Moore Street Sunday. (See Photo)

➤ Morehead City: A decades-old agave americana, or century plant, is blooming at the corner of South 18th and Shackleford streets—an event that happens only once every 10-25 years and indicates the end of the plant’s lifecycle. (See Photo)

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➤ In Men’s College World Series action, Wake Forest faced Tennessee yesterday, hoping to move one step closer to the finals, but was eliminated with an 11-5 loss. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, UNC beat Oklahoma 14-4 yesterday, punching their ticket to the NCAA super regionals. Gavin Gallaher starred with two home runs. UNC now hosts Arizona for a chance at the College World Series in Omaha. (More) 

➤ Ven-Allen Lubin, a former UNC forward who averaged 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds, is transferring straight to rival NC State—the second recent Tar Heel to join the Pack, but the first to do it directly. (More)

➤ UNC football coach Bill Belichick’s contract buyout clause was reduced from $10 million to $1 million on Sunday, making it much easier for Belichick to leave the program if he chooses. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Big Lots is reopening nearly 80 stores in nine states this week, 22 of which are in North Carolina. (See Locations)

➤ Fayetteville businesses containing Fort Liberty in their names now face costly rebranding expenses due to the base’s name being changed back to Fort Bragg. (More)

➤ North Carolina joins Oregon, Florida, New York, Arizona, California, and Alaska in experiencing a decline in Canadian visitors, reflecting a tourism boycott fueled by political backlash over current U.S. affairs. (More)

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➤ The Crystal Coast’s Emerald Isle was featured in Southern Living as having the clearest water and whitest sand. (More)

➤ Outer Banks Forever opened its annual Adopt A Sea Turtle Nest program on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Participants receive an official certificate and later get updates about their adopted nest once it hatches. (More)

➤ A Bankrate study found that North Carolina drivers have the highest insurance premium rate increase, at 49%, after receiving one speeding ticket. Wyoming at 40%, California at 39%, Massachusetts at 28%, and Illinois at 26% round out the top five. (More)

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Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Just a warning
4. Talked my way out of it

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite North Carolina beach region?

1. Outer Banks: 28%
2. Wilmington Area: 26%
3. Crystal Coast: 25%
4. Other: 21%

What other four states join North Carolina in the top five most visited states domestically?

Show me the answer