JACKSON COUNTY, Ohio — Two people wanted in a Gaston County, North Carolina, shooting that left two people dead were found dead Friday morning after a multi-county pursuit that ended on State Route 32 in Jackson County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Gaston County Police.
An automated license plate reader identified a black Mercedes-Benz registered to the suspects traveling westbound on U.S. 50 in Athens County shortly after 8:15 a.m. Friday. Troopers and Athens police officers attempted a traffic stop. The driver did not stop, and a pursuit lasting more than 20 minutes followed.
On State Route 32 in Jackson County, officers deployed a tire deflation device. The driver swerved to avoid it, struck a road sign, and came to a stop near Hiram West Road. Troopers then heard two gunshots from inside the vehicle. A drone was used to check the car. Camryn Moore, 26, and Cory Armstrong, 29, were found dead inside with gunshot wounds, the patrol said.
No other people were injured. Law enforcement officers did not fire their weapons, according to reports citing the patrol. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the pursuit, the crash, and the deaths.
The pair had been wanted since Thursday in connection with a shooting at a home at 2661 Forbes Road in southern Gaston County. Officers responded about 8:43 a.m. Sept. 10 to reports of a shooting inside the residence and found four people with gunshot wounds. Victoria “Heather” Moore, 50, and Megan “Josiah” Moore, 38, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims were taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. They remained in critical but stable condition Friday.
Moore and Armstrong also lived at the Forbes Road home and fled after the shooting, Gaston County Police said. Detectives obtained warrants Thursday afternoon charging each with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. The U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force helped track them across state lines.
Gaston County Police described the shooting as an isolated incident involving people who knew one another and said there was no ongoing threat to the community. The department’s investigation into the shooting continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective G. Lancaster at 704-866-3320 or CrimeStoppers at 704-861-8000.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is expected to release additional details on the Jackson County incident. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, Wellston Police Department, and the Ohio Department of Transportation also responded.
