Detectives from the Gastonia Police Department have charged Aaron Lamar Alexander, age 34, of Gastonia, with homicide and assault-related charges after Alexander allegedly used a rifle to shoot a 33-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man inside an apartment on Herman Drive Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 21st).  

Just before 1 PM Tuesday, officers responded to an apartment building in the 1600 block of Herman Drive where a shooting had just occurred.

Officers found Carlton Scott Rainey, age 55, outside the apartment building suffering from a gunshot wound.  Rainey was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers also located a female victim suffering from a gunshot wound.  Fire and Rescue personnel responded and transported her to a local hospital for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers at the scene were given information that Alexander was the suspect who shot the victims and that Alexander had fled the scene in a vehicle. 

Approximately one hour after the shooting occurred, officers observed the vehicle in which Alexander had fled on E. Ozark Avenue near Bryson Street.  They conducted a traffic stop and identified a passenger in the car as Alexander.  A rifle was also found inside the vehicle.

Alexander was arrested and charged with murder and assault.

Investigators have determined that the female victim lived at the Herman Drive address and is Alexander’s ex-girlfriend.  Detectives further determined that Rainey was a family member of the female victim.