Background: The area of the shooting in Gastonia, North Carolina (WBTV/YouTube). Inset: Pamela Shanks (Gregory Funeral Service).
A 68-year-old woman was sitting on her back porch in North Carolina when she was shot and killed, authorities say, and two teenagers have been arrested.
The Gastonia Police Department announced that two minors were arrested in connection with the murder of Pamela Shanks while either "on the run" or attempting to leave the country. Their identities have not been released.
On Oct. 19, Shanks was sitting on the back porch of her home on Hillgate Avenue across from Dwell Townhomes in Gastonia, North Carolina. The city is just west of Charlotte, North Carolina's biggest city.
Suddenly, gunshots rang out, with neighbors saying they heard multiple shots fired and then saw several young people run away, local CBS affiliate WBTV reported. It is unclear whether the minors who were arrested were part of that group.
Police showed up at the scene and determined Shanks was dead. Officers began investigating and searching for suspects.
With help from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and federal immigration authorities, the police department said it arrested a 16-year-old suspect at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., on Friday as he was "attempting to leave the country for Africa." A 17-year-old was arrested in northern South Carolina on Tuesday, according to police.
Neighbors were shaken by the violence.
"It doesn't seem like a safe area where I want to raise kids," one area resident told the TV station.
Another said they were "glad we could get the people that caused harm and hurt to the community put away."
Police have not shared any suspected motive, though they stressed that the investigation is ongoing.
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