17-year-old charged with murder after man shot to death in Gastonia, police say

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A 17-year-old has been charged after a man was shot and killed near a gas station in Gastonia on Thursday afternoon, according to the Gastonia Police Department.

Police said they responded after 4:45 p.m. for a shooting near the S&K Express on North Chester Street where a man was found shot inside a car. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Lamar McCoy, 20, of Gastonia, was identified by police. In speaking to Channel 9, his mother called him Deandre.

On Friday morning, GPD announced they arrested and charged a 17-year-old with first-degree murder for the killing. Due to his age, the suspect’s name will not be released, police said.

Investigators said the shooting was not believed to be random and police were continuing to search for a motive and connection between the suspect and victim.

Police added that a gun reportedly stolen out of South Carolina was found inside the car near McCoy’s body. It was not immediately clear who possessed the gun at the time of the murder, according to police.

A witness told Channel 9 that he heard 18 shots or more and said it was pure chaos.

“I opened my car door and I reached into the car. When I reached for it, gunfire, so I laid down in my truck. After the gunfire stopped, I waited 2 to 3 seconds and I lifted my head up. It wasn’t nothing but cars flying out of here, like I don’t know what,” said witness Marque Franks. “There were so many shots man. It was like pow pow pow pow pow pow.”

Anyone who may have information on this case is asked to contact police.

North Chester Street at Davidson Avenue was closed for several hours while detectives investigated the scene.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: CMPD investigating homicide after man shot in west Charlotte)

CMPD investigating homicide after man shot in west Charlotte

©2022 Cox Media Group