LOWELL, N.C. — Police released the identity of a victim who died in a shooting at a busy intersection in Lowell Thursday night.
Officers swarmed the area of Wilkinson Boulevard and Redbud Drive after police said there was a multi-vehicle crash and shooting.
[ ALSO READ: Family pushing for answers one year after Lowell man disappears ]
Police were called for a crash with injuries just after 7 p.m. When officers got to the scene, they found a person who was shot. Authorities confirmed Jose Antonia Jimenez Quinones, 52, of Gastonia, died from the shooting at the scene.
Police said Quinones was trying to help after the wreck.
Quinones opened the door to check on a teenage crash victim when police say that the teen shot him, police said.
“He stopped to help,” said Jose Ramos, who considers Quinones his stepfather. “He didn’t have to. He could have went straight home.”
Other victims were taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries from the wreck.
“The people that are here were unfortunately in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Captain Billy Downey with the Gaston County Police Department. “They’re witnesses, they’re not involved in any way. We just can’t let them leave until we get all our photographs and measurements, photographs and everything.”
During the investigation, Gastonia police found a juvenile suspect running away from the area. Officers were eventually able to take them into custody and charge them with second-degree murder.
Ramos said he is left with deep emotional scars.
“Sad and depressed because you are just recalling every memory you had of that certain person,” Ramos said.
Ramos said he can’t understand why it happened.
“He was a great guy. He didn’t deserve that.” Ramos said.
“Due to the circumstances surrounding this ongoing investigation, no other information can be released at this point,” Gaston County Police stated in a news release.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Lowell Police Department at 704-824-8540 or the Gaston County Police Department at 704-866-3320.
Return to this story for updates.
This browser does not support the video element.