Crime
Pamela Shanks, 68, Fatally Shot on Back Porch of Gastonia Home; Police Investigate
GASTONIA, North Carolina — October 19, 2026 — Pamela Shanks, 68, was fatally shot while sitting on the back porch of her home in Gastonia on Monday afternoon, according to the information provided. The shooting occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. at a residence on Hillgate Avenue, near Robinwood Road and the Dwell Townhomes.
Shanks’ death has left her family and community mourning as questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive, and no suspect had been taken into custody as of the latest available information.
Investigators have not released further details about what led to the shooting or whether the victim was specifically targeted.
The shooting was reported at approximately 4:30 p.m. Monday, October 19, at a home on Hillgate Avenue in Gastonia, North Carolina.
According to the information available, Shanks was sitting on the back porch of her residence when she was shot. The incident occurred near Robinwood Road and the Dwell Townhomes.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Authorities have not released a detailed account of the events leading up to the incident, including whether anyone approached the property before the shooting or whether there were witnesses who could help investigators reconstruct what happened.
Further details about the response by emergency personnel and the specific circumstances of Shanks’ death have not been provided in the available report.
Following the shooting, Shanks’ family reportedly expressed concern that the incident may have been gang-related.
However, this possibility has not been confirmed by authorities. Investigators have not publicly established a motive or indicated that Shanks had any connection to gang activity.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the shooting was a targeted attack, whether Shanks was mistakenly caught up in an incident involving other individuals, or whether another set of circumstances led to the violence.
Until officials release verified findings, any suggested motive remains unconfirmed.
Determining why the shooting occurred and whether Shanks was specifically targeted will be important aspects of the ongoing investigation.
As of the latest available information, no suspect had been taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding a potential suspect, possible leads, or any arrests. Information about a possible weapon, witness statements, or evidence collected at the scene has also not been provided.
Investigators will need to establish the sequence of events surrounding the shooting and determine whether any individuals can be linked to the incident.
Additional information may become available as authorities continue their investigation.
The death of 68-year-old Pamela Shanks has left her family facing a devastating loss and raised painful questions about the circumstances of the shooting.
According to the information provided, Shanks was at home, sitting on her back porch, when the fatal incident occurred. A place ordinarily associated with privacy and comfort became the scene of a deadly act of violence.
For her loved ones, the immediate concern is not only the loss of a family member but also the uncertainty surrounding how and why she was killed.
As the investigation continues, the family and community await answers about the circumstances that led to her death.
Authorities have not yet confirmed a motive, announced an arrest, or released further details about the shooting on Hillgate Avenue.
The reported possibility of a gang-related connection remains unverified, and no publicly confirmed information establishes that Shanks was involved in or connected to any such activity.
Further updates may clarify whether the shooting was targeted and identify the person or people responsible.
WINSTON COUNTY, Alabama — Barry L. Cox, 64, died Tuesday morning in a single-vehicle crash on Cranal Road in Winston County, according to authorities. The crash occurred approximately eight miles north of Double Springs, near Sipsey Fork Road.
According to the available information, Cox was driving a GMC Canyon pickup truck when the vehicle left the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree. He was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Alabama state troopers are investigating the fatal crash.
The crash was reported at approximately 11:05 a.m. Tuesday on Cranal Road near Sipsey Fork Road, in an area north of Double Springs.
Authorities said Cox was traveling in a GMC Canyon pickup truck when, for reasons that have not yet been established, the vehicle left the roadway. The truck subsequently overturned before striking a tree.
The impact resulted in Cox being ejected from the pickup truck. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials have not provided additional details about the events immediately preceding the crash. The precise circumstances that caused the vehicle to leave the roadway remain under investigation.
According to authorities, Cox was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
He was ejected from the vehicle during the collision and sustained fatal injuries. However, investigators have not released further information regarding the specific sequence of events or other factors that may have contributed to the crash.
Seat belts are an important vehicle safety measure because they help restrain occupants during sudden stops, rollovers, and collisions, reducing the risk of ejection and serious injury.
The circumstances surrounding this incident will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
The fatal collision occurred on Cranal Road near Sipsey Fork Road, approximately eight miles north of Double Springs in Winston County, Alabama.
The crash involved only one vehicle, according to the information released by authorities. No additional vehicles were identified in the initial report.
Investigators have not announced whether road conditions, vehicle-related issues, or other circumstances played a role in the incident.
Alabama state troopers are investigating the fatal single-vehicle crash to determine the circumstances that led to the pickup truck leaving the roadway, overturning, and striking a tree.
Further information may become available as the investigation progresses. No additional findings or contributing factors have been confirmed in the information provided.
Barry L. Cox, 64, lost his life in a crash that occurred on a Winston County roadway Tuesday morning.
His death serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that can result from roadway collisions, particularly incidents involving vehicle rollovers and ejection.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.