Bloodshed in Catawba: Mass Shooting at NC House Party Leaves 1 Dead, 11 Injured
Authorities Confirm Attack Happened Early Sunday Morning; No Arrests Yet as Community Demands Answers and Action
CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — June 1, 2025 — What should have been a night of celebration ended in horror early Sunday morning when gunfire erupted at a house party in the Mountain View community near Hickory. The mass shooting left one person dead, one critically injured, and ten others seriously wounded, according to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting occurred around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, when the home was packed with partygoers, many of them young people. According to investigators, multiple shooters may have been involved, and the incident is being treated as a major crime scene. Emergency services from several agencies responded swiftly, but the damage had already been done — a community shattered, and more than a dozen families forever changed.
The name of the deceased has not been released pending family notification, and as of Monday morning, no suspects have been arrested.
Gun Violence Strikes Again: “This Is Not Normal”
This latest tragedy is a heartbreaking reminder of the gun violence crisis gripping North Carolina and the nation. Residents and local officials expressed grief, frustration, and outrage.
“Yet again, another mass shooting. This time in our backyard,” said one local advocate. “This is not normal. This is not OK. And it is OK to not be OK right now.”
Neighbors described the chaotic aftermath — young people fleeing in fear, sirens filling the air, and families rushing to hospitals for updates on their loved ones.
Dozens of Gun Safety Bills Ignored by Lawmakers
In the wake of the shooting, Democratic lawmakers in North Carolina are once again urging the state legislature to take action on gun reform. Over the past year, Democrats have introduced more than a dozen bills aimed at curbing gun violence, including:
- Requiring safe storage of firearms in homes and vehicles
- Banning untraceable “ghost guns”
- Reinstating the pistol purchase permit process
- Providing better tools for law enforcement to recover lost and stolen firearms
- Implementing gun safety education programs
None of these bills have been given a hearing in the Republican-controlled legislature.
Instead, GOP leaders have focused on expanding gun access, pushing bills that would:
- Create a lifetime concealed carry permit
- Eliminate permit requirements altogether
- Allow armed volunteers in private schools
Critics warn that such measures will only worsen the already deadly problem.
“If more guns made us safer, the United States would be the safest country in the world — but we are not,” one lawmaker noted during a press conference following the shooting.
#WearOrange Weekend and a National Call to Action
The Catawba County shooting comes just days before National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday, June 6, and the start of #WearOrange Weekend (June 7–8). The campaign, now in its 10th year, honors Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teenager fatally shot in 2013 just one week after performing at President Obama’s inauguration.
Orange, the color hunters wear to avoid being shot, has since become the national symbol for gun safety. Throughout the weekend, communities across the country — including several in North Carolina — will hold events, vigils, and marches to raise awareness and demand legislative action.
Find events or get involved at: act.everytown.org/event/wear-orange-weekend
Greensboro Memorial and Community Response
In Greensboro, a memorial honoring victims of gun violence was recently displayed at city hall. Photographs of those lost — many young, many Black — were surrounded by candles, flowers, and handwritten messages from grieving families.
Police Chief Thompson also hosted a public listening session where residents shared stories of loss and fear.
“We are doing everything we can,” said Chief Thompson. “But we can’t do it alone. Every death is one too many. This is a fight we all have to take on together.”
Investigation Ongoing
As of Monday, local authorities, along with the State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI, are continuing to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
“We will not rest until those responsible are brought to justice,” said Sheriff Don Brown.
A State at a Crossroads
North Carolina finds itself, once again, at a crossroads — caught between a rising toll of gun violence and a gridlocked political system unable or unwilling to act. For the families grieving in Catawba County today, and for communities from Greensboro to Charlotte to Wilmington, the message is clear: enough is enough.
Need Support?
- National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
- Everytown Survivor Network: everytown.org
- NC Victim Assistance Network: nc-van.org
If you have a story related to gun violence or wish to share your experience, please reach out to our newsroom. Your voice matters.