Woman shot to death by boyfriend during argument, detectives say

NEWTON, N.C. — A man is in jail after police said he shot and killed his girlfriend during an argument early Thursday in Catawba County.

According to Newton police, officers were called around 1:45 a.m. to a home on Maple Court in reference to a 911 open line. When they arrive, police went into the house and found 45-year-old Hope Kennedy, who had been shot.

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Also inside the home were Kennedy’s boyfriend, 39-year-old Thomas Gardner, and their two teenage children, who all live together, police said.

Detectives said Kennedy and Gardner got into an argument that escalated into a physical fight and that was when Gardner shot his girlfriend.

Kennedy was taken to the Catawba Valley Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Gardner was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder. He is currently locked up in the Catawba County Jail without bond and is scheduled to have his first court appearance on Dec. 30.

Police said both teenagers in the home were not injured and have been placed in the custody of a family member by the Department of Social Services.

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