Preston, NC / Indian Trail, NC 
In a shocking incident that has left two North Carolina communities reeling, a young man  described by locals as a “punk with a gun and no conscience”  allegedly terrorized a group of children on a quiet suburban afternoon, brandishing a firearm and mocking his victims before walking away unscathed and unapprehended. The incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon in the normally peaceful neighborhoods of Preston and Indian Trail, has ignited outrage among residents and reignited fierce debates around public safety, law enforcement response, and juvenile accountability in the justice system.

The Incident

According to eyewitnesses and preliminary police reports, the confrontation unfolded around 3:45 PM at a local park near the border of Preston and Indian Trail. A group of children, ranging from ages 8 to 13, were playing basketball when a teenager, described as approximately 16 to 18 years old with dyed green hair and wearing tattered denim and combat boots, approached the group in an aggressive manner.

“He just walked up like he owned the place,” said Angela Rodriguez, a parent who was nearby when the incident occurred. “He had a hoodie on and something bulging from his waistband. I thought it might be a phone until he pulled it out. It was a gun  a real one.”

Witnesses claim the teen pointed the firearm directly at the children while grinning maniacally, laughing as he mimicked firing. One child reportedly screamed and fell while trying to flee. The suspect then allegedly said, “Run, little pigs. Run,” before tucking the weapon back into his waistband and strolling away on foot.

“He wasn’t just threatening them,” said Preston resident Mark Collins, whose 11-year-old son was among the children. “He was enjoying it. He laughed. He mocked them. He made a game out of traumatizing little kids.

Immediate Response

Several parents immediately called 911, and within minutes, deputies from the Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) and officers from the Indian Trail Police Department were on the scene. A helicopter was reportedly deployed briefly for aerial surveillance, and K9 units attempted to track the suspect through wooded areas behind the neighborhood.

Despite the quick deployment, law enforcement was unable to locate the suspect. No arrests have been made as of Monday morning.

“We are aware of the reports involving a male suspect brandishing a firearm and intimidating minors in the Preston-Indian Trail area,” said UCSO spokesperson Lt. Carla Winters. “We are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the surrounding area and interviewing witnesses. Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward.”

Community Outrage and Growing Fear

The apparent failure to immediately apprehend the suspect has infuriated many residents, who say the response has been inadequate and the danger far from over.

“Someone pulled a gun on my son  a CHILD   and walked away laughing,” said Rebecca Knight, a mother of two who lives a block from the park. “And now I’m supposed to sleep at night knowing he’s still out there? Where is the justice in that?”

Several community members have organized an emergency town hall meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening at Indian Trail Civic Center. Security is expected to be heightened, and school officials have reportedly increased patrols and surveillance around elementary and middle schools in the vicinity.

Gun Violence and Juvenile Crime on the Rise

This incident comes amid growing concerns nationwide over rising juvenile crime rates and gun-related incidents involving minors. In North Carolina alone, juvenile gun arrests have spiked by nearly 25% since 2021, according to state justice statistics.

Dr. Elaine Harper, a criminal justice expert and former FBI behavioral analyst, said the psychological impact of incidents like this one can’t be understated.

“What we saw in Preston and Indian Trail is what I would call a textbook ‘power and control’ intimidation display,” Harper explained. “The suspect didn’t just point a gun  he created terror. For children, that kind of trauma doesn’t fade quickly. It stays with them, potentially for life.”

Local mental health providers say they are preparing for an increase in referrals, particularly for PTSD and anxiety among the children who witnessed the event.

Why Is He Still Free?

That’s the question haunting parents, residents, and media across the region. Several sources close to the investigation told this reporter that while multiple leads have been identified, none have yet resulted in an arrest due to what law enforcement is calling “jurisdictional complexity” and “lack of conclusive identification.”

However, others believe something more systemic is at play.

“There’s no way the authorities don’t have a better idea of who he is,” said attorney Michelle Tran, a community advocate and legal analyst. “But if he’s under 18, they may be constrained by juvenile protections, which can severely delay the public disclosure of information  even in serious cases like this one.”

Some parents have gone further, speculating whether the suspect could be related to someone influential or otherwise protected due to his status or background.

“The silence is suspicious,” one anonymous father said. “It’s like they’re trying to sweep this under the rug before we all move on. But we won’t.”

The Search Continues

Police have released a preliminary description of the suspect: a white male, approximately 5’9″, green-dyed hair, last seen wearing a black hoodie with red lettering, ripped jeans, and black combat boots. Surveillance footage from a nearby gas station shows someone matching the description walking east on Larkspur Lane shortly after the incident.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Union County Crimestoppers at 704-283-5600. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

Where Do We Go From Here?

For now, the community of Preston and Indian Trail remains on edge. Parents are walking their kids to school, children are afraid to play outside, and trust in the system feels deeply shaken.

This is more than a crime  this was a message,” said longtime resident and former schoolteacher Donna Lee. That punk pointed a gun and told our kids the world doesn’t protect them. And right now, it looks like he might be right.

Law enforcement insists they are treating the matter with urgency and that updates will be forthcoming. But until an arrest is made, Preston and Indian Trail remain communities under siege  not by an army, but by the horrifying image of a teenager with a gun, a smile, and the freedom to walk away.

Developing Story  Updates to Follow
If you have information, please contact local authorities or submit a tip through the Indian Trail PD anonymous portal. Mental health counselors will be available on site at the Indian Trail Civic Center for families and children affected by the incident.