The Brief Pamala Shanks, 68, was killed by a stray bullet on her back porch. Police said she was not the intended target. No arrests have been made in the shooting.



A North Carolina woman was fatally struck by a stray bullet while sitting on her backyard porch Monday afternoon, investigators said.

Dig deeper:

Pamala Shanks, 68, was hit around 4:30 p.m. at a home on Hillgate Avenue in Gastonia, according to police. Investigators have not determined where the gunfire originated.

Police respond to a Gastonia, North Carolina, home where a woman was killed by a stray bullet while sitting on her back porch. (Gastonia Police)

What they're saying:

 She was on her (back) porch and not the intended target of the gun violence,  police said in an Oct. 19 news release.  No arrests have been made; Detectives are continuing their very robust investigation. 

Authorities investigate the scene where a 68-year-old woman was fatally struck by a stray bullet in Gastonia, North Carolina. (Gastonia Police)

Big picture view:

Maps show Shanks' elevated back porch faces Laurel Lane, which is bordered by apartment and townhome communities. A lot with playground equipment is located directly across from the porch.

Gastonia is about 20 miles west of uptown Charlotte.
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