2 killed, 2 injured in shooting near church in North Carolina

Two people were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting near a church in North Carolina, according to officials.

The shooting occurred on the east side of Mount Airy on Thursday afternoon near Welcome Baptist Church, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). Mount Airy is located near the border with Virginia, about 35 miles north of Winston-Salem.

At least four people were shot, two of them fatally, officials said. The NCSBI classified the incident as a mass shooting.

Welcome Baptist Church said the shooting occurred across the street and was not related to church activities, adding that all members are safe. Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Surry County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting remains an active investigation and that multiple emergency agencies are involved. Officials asked the public to avoid the area due to a large police presence that is expected to remain for some time.

Authorities have not released the identities of the victims, information about a suspect, or details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.