HENDERSON, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina’s governor says his administration will try to help a small town where at least six people have been shot and killed in recent weeks.
WTVD reports Gov. Roy Cooper wrote a letter to the leaders of Henderson saying the state Department of Public Safety will look into options for helping the town of about 15,000 people.
Three people died in one shooting in March. In another shooting, a 14-year-old was found dead on a street.
Mayor Eddie Ellington says the police department has 13 open positions, representing more than 20 percent of full staffing.
The police department met with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to request more help in prosecuting violent and narcotic offenders.
Meanwhile, a minister is planning a march April 7 to call for greater community engagement.
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This story has been corrected to show the agency mentioned by Cooper was the Department of Public Safety.
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Information from: WTVD-TV, http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/
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