Man arrested, charged with murder after woman shot and killed in Gastonia

GASTONIA, N.C. (WBTV) - A woman was killed in a shooting in Gastonia on Friday night, officials said.

According to the Gastonia Police Department, the incident happened just after 9:30 p.m. in the 3100 block of Spring Valley Drive, at an apartment near the intersection of Highway 74 and Shannon Bradley Road.

Authorities said the woman, identified as 33-year-old Megan Michelle Tate, died at the scene.

The suspect fled the apartment, but was quickly taken into custody.

Police have arrested 22-year-old Shiquan Eleek Ratchford in connection with the shooting and charged him with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.

He is being held without bond.