Gastonia Police Arrest Three, Searching For Fourth Suspect In Homicide

GASTONIA, NC– “It’s not that surprising at all,” said Gastonia resident, Angelina Ronning.

Angelina Ronning lives at The Oaks at Edgemont off Balthis Drive in Gastonia where police say four men killed 20-year old Richard Nathaniel Abernathy Monday morning. Ronning says she’s become too accustomed to violence in the area.

“They’ve destroyed the whole playground and they keep trying to fix it and they basically have given up but there’s usually fights or cops here every day,” said Ronning.

Gastonia Police arrested and charged 19-year old Jonqae Griggs, 20-year old Dawan Myers and 18-year old Jahqualyn Goode with First Degree Murder. Police say they aren’t releasing specific details because they’re still looking for 19-year old Kevin Goodwin and want to question him. About an hour later, police were called to a stabbing not too far away at the Gaston Inn on East Franklin Boulevard.

“Since last three weeks we have these homicide issues going on in these areas,” said Gaston Inn manager, Prefull Patel.

Manager Prefull Patel says hooligans gather near this shed, behind Tres Pesos Bar and Grill and the crime spills over to his business.

“On the back side of the property somebody stabbed somebody and then the person injured runs to your property to get help naturally it’s human nature,” said Patel.

Police confirm there’s a high volume of calls in that area, but say homicides haven’t gone up.  They were at four this time last year.

“I don’t feel safe, it’s constantly like do I have to go out alone, is it going to be ok to go out alone,” said Ronning.

Gastonia Police are searching for a 4th murder suspect after putting three men behind bars for the city’s 4th murder this year.
It was a violent night in Gastonia as police also responded to a stabbing nearby.