SHELBY, N.C. — Four people were shot in what Cleveland County authorities call a "running gun battle."

It happened at around 2:15 Saturday morning on U.S. 74 near Kings Mountain.

Deputies say four people were injured and treated at area hospitals.

Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman has some choice words for those involved:

"This is such an incredibly stupid incident with so much potential danger to innocent people. I can't imagine what would cause people to engage in this type of behavior."

The victims are all men in their 20s.

Cleveland County is on the North Carolina-South Carolina line.