Four people were discovered dead inside a North Carolina home Thursday after authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting.
Officers were dispatched to the single-family residence in Gastonia, a city near Charlotte, on Thursday morning and found the victims upon arrival. Police stated they were unable to provide life-saving aid. The Gaston County Police Department is actively investigating the incident, according to a statement.
A neighbor told WSOC-TV that they heard approximately five or six gunshots. Investigators confirmed that the 911 call mentioned a shooting near Forbes Road, which led to the discovery of the four deceased individuals.
One woman, who identified herself as a friend of a resident of the home, told WSOC-TV that she became concerned when the woman did not show up for work. "I started to worry because she never doesn’t show up," she said.
The identities of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. It is also unknown if the shooter is among the deceased or is at large. Special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting local law enforcement in the investigation.
Gastonia is located approximately 22 miles from Charlotte and has a population of about 72,000 residents. Authorities have asked the public to avoid the area while the scene is processed.