Gastonia, N.C. – Detectives from the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) have charged Aaron Lamar Alexander, age 34, of Gastonia, with homicide and assault-related charges after Alexander used a rifle to shoot a 33-year-old female and a 55-year-old male inside an apartment on Herman Drive yesterday afternoon. The male victim, identified as Carlton Scott Rainey, age 55, of Gastonia, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
At approximately 12:52 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21, GPD officers responded to an apartment building in the 1600 block of Herman Drive for the report of a shooting that just occurred.
Responding officers located Rainey outside the apartment building suffering from a gunshot wound. Rainey was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers also located a female victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Fire and Rescue personnel responded and transported her to a local hospital for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries.
Officers at the scene were given information that Alexander was the suspect who shot the victims and that Alexander fled the scene in a vehicle.
Approximately one hour after the shooting occurred, GPD officers observed the vehicle that Alexander was last seen traveling in on E. Ozark Avenue near Bryson Street. GPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified Alexander as a passenger in the car. A rifle was located inside the vehicle.
Alexander was arrested and charged with murder and assault-related charges.
Investigators have determined that the female victim lived at the Herman Drive address and is Alexander’s ex-girlfriend. Detectives further determined that Rainey is a family member of the female victim.
