Man, woman killed in apparent murder-suicide inside Gaston County home

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Two people were killed in an apparent murder-suicide in Gaston County on Saturday morning, police said.

According to the Gaston County Police Department, officers responded to a home on Mountain Meadows Drive, just off of Dallas Cherryville Highway, at about 5:55 a.m. for a reported shooting.

Once at the scene, police found a man and a woman dead inside the home.

Police said initial evidence suggests that the man, Johnnie Andrew Walters Jr., killed Michelle Marcinkus Walters before also killing himself.

Officials confirmed that both people involved had been married.

Martha Felix said she can’t believe the tragedy happened in the neighborhood. She shared what she now feels when she looks at the home on Mountain Meadows Drive.

“It’s just sadness that that happened to that family. And her kids, you know? I can only imagine what her kids are going through right now,” Felix said.

Another neighbor who did not want to go on camera says he knew the couple and even went on a double date with the couple a few years ago. He said he had no idea of what happened so close to his home.

We didn’t hear nothing whatsoever. No shots, no nothing at all. Police come to the door and rang the doorbell. I looked out and it looked like Christmas out here with all the lights and then then they told me what happened with my neighbors,” said the main.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. H. R. Lloyd with the Gaston County Police Department at 704-866-3320, or Crime Stoppers at 704-861-8000.

Download the free WBTV News app for the latest information as it comes in.

Copyright 2023 WBTV. All rights reserved.