Jacksonville, Fla. — A former local high school quarterback was among several people who were shot at a party over the weekend. His family gave Action News Jax pictures of the 20-year-old, who is a quarterback at a North Carolina College.
“I don’t understand such violence and the need to carry guns,” said Marcia Sumner.
Sumner said her grandson, Ryan Williams, was shot three times, and underwent a second surgery Tuesday morning.
Williams is a junior at Livingstone College in North Carolina where he is the quarterback.
“I was excited for him, and to see him go away to school for it, was even more exciting,” said Sumner.
On Sunday just after midnight, Salisbury, North Carolina police said someone opened fire inside a restaurant.
Six people were shot, three others were hurt. Some were trampled by the crowd trying to get out of the building.
Before that party even started, an alcohol law enforcement agent was in the parking lot.
He told our sister station, WSOC, that people were trying to bring alcohol in with water bottles, and he also said he saw some people throwing what appeared to be gang signs.
The agent said he tried to warn the restaurant owner, but he said she didn’t listen.
Statement from Livingstone College:
"Four Livingstone College students were injured in a shooting overnight that occurred at a restaurant at the West End Plaza Shopping Center.
"One of the students was transferred to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem and is listed in stable condition. Three students were transported to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center in Salisbury and have been discharged.
"This shooting happened off campus and the event was not sponsored by Livingstone College. At no time was campus safety compromised as a result of this incident, in which two other people also suffered non-gunshot injuries.
"The Division of Student Affairs will have counselors available to students who were present and/or know the injured students to help manage the distress of this traumatic event and to deal with any resulting anxiety, if needed.
“Livingstone College is grateful that no lives were lost, and is praying for the full recovery of those injured and the well-being of those who experienced this unfortunate event.”
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