Local
Gastonia police investigate fatal shooting of Pamela Shanks at Dwell Townhomes
Pamela Shanks, 68, was sitting on her back porch when she was fatally shot Monday afternoon at a Gastonia townhome complex, her family said. Police had not announced any arrests or confirmed a possible neighborhood dispute as of Monday night.
GASTONIA, N.C. — Pamela Shanks, 68, was sitting on her back porch when she was shot and killed Monday afternoon at Dwell Townhomes in Gastonia, her family said.
The shooting happened Oct. 19 at the complex on Hillgate Avenue, where Shanks’ porch backs up to Laurel Lane, according to her family. Relatives said the gunfire may have been connected to a dispute involving other people in the neighborhood, but police had not confirmed a motive or said whether Shanks knew anyone involved.
Neighbors reported hearing several shots late Monday afternoon and seeing several young people dressed in black run away, according to accounts provided to local media.
Gastonia police investigators were at the complex for hours Monday and cordoned off a large area, including a playground. Police had not announced any arrests by Monday night.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remained unclear Tuesday, and authorities had not publicly identified any suspects.