Northampton commissioner recounts gunfire at her Seaboard home, urges emergency safety meeting

During board comments, Commissioner Vonnegut recounted a frightening incident in Seaboard in which gunfire struck her home overnight. She said a round came through her bedroom window and hit a glass of water on her nightstand, and that her son’s upstairs window was also shot. Vonnegut said she called Sheriff Jack Smith and that multiple patrol officers arrived within minutes to secure the scene and search for shell casings. She described detectives’ follow‑up searches of nearby businesses and properties and said automatic‑weapon casings were found.

Vonnegut told the board she had considered traveling to the governor’s residence to seek help and that she had contacted Representative Rodney Pierce, media (WRAL) and other officials to press for increased attention to violence in Seaboard and neighboring Gaston. She said the incident left her and neighbors shaken and urged the board to consider an emergency meeting with municipal leaders to discuss public‑safety responses and potential resource needs.

Several commissioners expressed sympathy and support and called for the county to convene township leaders and to explore options to assist local law enforcement. Chair and staff acknowledged the request; no formal vote on additional funding or direct actions was taken at the meeting.