Police say one shooting hit target, other hit bystander

POCOMOKE CITY -- Police are searching for a suspect they believe is responsible for shooting two local men

On Monday, Sept. 14, a 20-year-old Pocomoke City resident was shot in the calf near the intersection of Bonneville Avenue and Second Street just after 9 p.m. The victim was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The man would not give any information to police about the shooter.

In a similar incident on the morning of Sept. 16, a 25-year-old man, also of Pocomoke City, was shot in the ankle near Sixth and Bank streets. The man was treated and released from Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Pocomoke City Police officials believe that events are related and that one person is responsible for both shootings.

"It appears to be something that may have been borne out of a fight that happened some where outside of Pocomoke," said Pocomoke City Mayor Michael McDermott who added that the shootings targeted one individual, the man shot Wednesday morning. "It seems that there is some type of retaliation involved."

Shootings are not common in Pocomoke City, said Police Chief J.D. Ervin, and when they do happen, they tend not to be random.

"This is the first one we've had in four or five years," Ervin said. "They are very seldom and unfortunately these things normally don't start in Pocomoke -- they start outside of Pocomoke and come into town."

Police have identified a suspect they think is responsible for both shootings and are optimistic he will soon be in custody. In the meantime, Ervin said, residents should not be worried about their safety.

"Nobody wants any shootings or incidents like this in their community, but unfortunately theses types of things aren't always preventable," Ervin said. "But there shouldn't be any concern."

Anyone with information is asked to call 410-957-1600.

jhopkinson@dmg.gannett.com

VIA DELMARVANOW.COM