‘Deeply saddened.’ Boy, 7, critically injured when gunfire erupts in NC home, police say

A 7-year-old boy remained hospitalized Saturday with injuries that police described as "extremely severe" after gunfire erupted in a Burlington home.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and everyone affected by this act of violence," Police Chief Alan Balog said in a statement Friday.

The boy was an "innocent bystander" who was "senselessly shot" during an argument at a home in the Beaumont Apartments complex, he said.

The child was shot around 8 p.m ., WXII reported.

Emergency responders flew the boy by helicopter to a local trauma center, WFMY reported. He was in critical condition, Balog said.

Police arrested Tremaine Armstrong, 18, of Burlington, and Kemontae Crosby, 21, of Graham. Armstrong was charged with attempted first-degree murder, Balog said, and Crosby with accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder.

Police took Armstrong and Crosby into custody Friday without incident, Balog said.

"This incident affects all of us, and it is a reminder of the importance of coming together as a community," Balog said.

"While we are deeply saddened by what has occurred, we also look forward to strengthening our resolve to prevent such violence from taking place again," the chief said. "Now more than ever, we need the community's support, cooperation, and vigilance."