Gaston County, N.C. – A deadly shooting inside a home on Forbes Road in Gaston County on Thursday morning left two family members dead and two others critically injured. Police responded at approximately 8:43 a.m. after receiving a report of gunfire.
Officers found four victims with gunshot wounds. Victoria “Heather” Moore, 50, and Megan “Josiah” Bumgardner, 38, were pronounced dead at the scene. The two surviving victims, Camryn Moore, 26, and Cory Armstrong, 29, remain in critical but stable condition at CaroMont Regional Medical Center.
Suspects identified and charged
Detectives quickly identified Camryn Moore and Cory Armstrong, both residents of the home, as the suspects. Moore is the son of the deceased Heather Moore, and Bumgardner was Moore’s uncle. Authorities believe everyone involved knew one another and described the incident as an isolated tragedy with no ongoing threat to the community.
Both men were charged Thursday afternoon with two counts of first‑degree murder and two counts of attempted first‑degree murder.
Manhunt spans several states
The Gaston County Police Department enlisted the U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force to track the suspects. Their flight took them across state lines, and by Friday morning Ohio State Troopers spotted the vehicle near Athens.
When officers attempted to stop the car, the suspects allegedly refused, leading to a high‑speed pursuit. The vehicle swerved to avoid spike strips, crashed, and officers later heard two gunshots from the wreckage. A drone inspection revealed both Moore and Armstrong dead inside the vehicle. Ohio authorities have not disclosed who fired the shots.
Community reaction
Neighbors on Forbes Road expressed shock at the violence that shattered the normally peaceful street. Loretta Forbes, whose family built the home in 1914, said she was praying for the victims and searching for answers.
“I just kept saying, ‘My God. Oh God,’ coming down the stairs,” Forbes told WSOC‑TV. “They seem to be very nice people. It just shakes you up to think that could happen so close by.”
Jennifer Greene, a co‑worker and friend of Heather Moore, drove to the home after Moore failed to report for her shift, adding to the community’s grief.
Police statement
The Gaston County Police Department called the event “a tragic act of violence that resulted in the loss of multiple lives and left others critically injured.” While the search for the suspects has ended, the department emphasized that the investigation continues.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact Detective G. Lancaster at 704‑866‑3320 or CrimeStoppers at 704‑861‑8000.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
