Arrest made after father killed in front of son at Gastonia apartment

GASTONIA, N.C. — Police said an arrest has been made after a man was shot and killed at an apartment complex in Gastonia over the weekend.

25-year-old Quinton Payne Palmer-Whitesides of Vale was arrested Tuesday afternoon and was taken to the Gaston County jail. He was charged with murder.

Police said the shooting happened at Fern Forest Apartments on Pebblestone Way around 5:30 a.m. Saturday. 25-year-old De’Mallon Lamarea Anthony White was found shot in one of the apartments. He died from his injuries, authorities said.

Witnesses told police two or three possible suspects were seen leaving the area after the gunshots were fired.

Family members said White’s 5-year-old son was home when someone broke in and fatally shot his father. Channel 9′s Gaston County reporter Ken Lemon spoke to White’s mother. She said the family, especially his son, is having a tough time with his death.

“He said ‘my dad was standing and then my dad fell,’” she told Lemon. “He said ‘I tried to tell my dad to get up.’”

Palmer-Whitesides was given no bond.

Police said the investigation is still active and asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers of Gaston County at 704-861-8000.

(WATCH RELATED: 5-year-old who saw father’s shooting death: ‘I tried to tell my dad to get up’)

5-year-old who saw father’s shooting death: ‘I tried to tell my dad to get up’

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