Gastonia, North Carolina – A woman was fatally shot by police in Gastonia after she fired multiple rounds into an officer’s legs during a domestic violence call, Police Chief Trent Conard disclosed at a press conference. The incident occurred around 1:19 p.m. in the 400 block of South Kings Street, where two officers encountered the armed woman.
According to witnesses, the officers repeatedly instructed the woman to drop her weapons before she shot one of them. In response, both officers fired back, resulting in the woman’s death. The injured officer was reported to be in stable condition at a local hospital following the incident.
The identities of the woman, as well as the officers involved, have not been released by the police. It remains unclear if anyone else at the scene was harmed during the domestic violence confrontation. Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page and Police Chief Conard have requested the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to look into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
As per standard procedure, the SBI will lead the investigation, while the Gastonia Police Department will carry out an internal inquiry into the events that transpired. Agents from the SBI were present at the scene to gather evidence and further analyze the situation.
Earlier in the day, State Attorney General Josh Stein expressed his concern for the injured officer and their family, affirming his support for the Gastonia Police Department. The community awaits more information from the ongoing investigations to shed light on the tragic incident that unfolded in Gastonia.