ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) – A 19-year-old Elizabeth City man has been arrested and faces multiple charges in connection to a shooting of a child and a 17-year-old boy on Speed Street, including two counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting injury.

Randall Ivan Ferguson, 19, of Elizabeth City, was also charged with two counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling and discharging a weapon in city limits.

Randall Ferguson. (Photo courtesy: ECPD)

Ferguson was processed and taken to Albemarle District Jail with a $250,000 secure bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday in Pasquotank County District Court.

An eight-year-old boy was playing outside after school when shots rang out around 6 p.m. last Monday, April 24 in the 300 block of Speed Street. A bullet hit that child in the arm, and another hit a 17-year-old boy in the right leg.

“We’ve got underage individuals getting a hold of firearms and using them against each other,” Elizabeth City Police Chief Phil Webster said.

The eight-year-old and the teenager were taken by private vehicle to Sentara Albemarle Hospital.

Both were treated and released.

“Thank God that we’re not here planning a funeral, but yet, still, someone shot over with children out there. We are not accepting it,” Elizabeth City Mayor Kirk Rivers said.

Rivers said it’s sickening what happened. He remembers growing up in Elizabeth City.

“I was one of those ones outside playing kickball,” Rivers said. “In Elizabeth City, we pride ourselves on the fact that you should be able to be in your yard playing with your children or children playing with children, and you should not have to be worried about being shot in your yard.”

Rivers said the Elizabeth City Police Department will track drown anyone involved and they will deal with the consequences.

Webster said detectives are actively following up on leads, and that he needs your help identifying the individuals involved. If you have any information, call 252-335-4321 or the Crime Line at 252-335-5555.

“We will find the person who’s done that,” Rivers said. “We are going to bring justice because no little child should be shot playing in their yard.”