A Gastonia man has just been arrested for murder and a slew of other charges after a police foot chase into a neighborhood and through the woods, authorities said.
Gaston County Police arrested Jeffery Martin shortly after midnight Tuesday following a multi-agency manhunt involving K9 teams, drones and tactical officers. He now faces first-degree murder and two attempted murder charges.
The investigation began around 9:30 p.m. Monday at 1027 Old Church Road in southern Gaston County.
Officers responding to a shooting found one person dead at the scene. Police have not publicly identified the victim.
A witness gave officers information identifying a suspect, along with a vehicle description and direction of travel.
Police soon spotted the vehicle near Crowders Creek Road and attempted a traffic stop.
The driver refused to stop, according to investigators, leading officers on a pursuit that ended on Stallion Way off Hoffman Road. Martin allegedly abandoned the vehicle there and ran into the surrounding neighborhood.
K9 Teams Track Suspect Into Woods
The escape triggered a large search involving Gaston County Police, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Gastonia Police and Belmont Police.
Gaston County activated its Emergency Response Team and Drone Team while K9 officers began tracking Martin.
Shortly after midnight, officers found him hiding in a wooded area and arrested him without incident.
Detectives later charged Martin with:
- First-degree murder
- Two counts of attempted first-degree murder
- Larceny of a motor vehicle
- Possession of a firearm by a felon
He was booked into the Gaston County Jail and is being held without bond.
Police have not released additional details about what led to the shooting or the circumstances behind the two attempted murder charges.
Anyone with information can contact Detective Bishop at 704-866-3320 or Crime Stoppers at 704-861-8000.
