Four people were found shot dead inside a North Carolina home on Thursday, authorities confirmed. Police responded to the single-family residence in Gastonia, a city near Charlotte, after receiving a 911 call reporting a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered the four deceased individuals.
The Gaston County Police Department stated that detectives are actively investigating the incident and have asked residents to avoid the area while the scene is processed. Details regarding the cause of the shooting remain limited.
According to The Charlotte Observer, the 911 caller reported a shooting near Forbes Road. A neighbor told WSOC-TV that they heard five or six shots fired.
One woman told WSOC-TV that she went to the house looking for a coworker who lived there, after the coworker failed to show up for work. The woman expressed concern, stating that her coworker never misses a day of work. It is currently unclear if the shooter is known or if they are also deceased.
Special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting local authorities in the investigation. Gastonia is located approximately 22 miles outside of Charlotte and has a population of about 72,000 people.