GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — One person was killed and two others were rescued after a domestic incident that led to a standoff with police in Gaston County early Wednesday morning, police said.
The Gaston County Police Department responded to a disturbance at a home on Chrisco Lane just before 3 a.m. When officers approached the house, a person fired shots at them from inside, causing police to call for backup.
One person was rescued from the house by the first group of officers. That person said there was another hostage inside and possibly one person who had been shot. Emergency crews immediately began a rescue operation and pulled the hostage from inside the house, police said. One person was found dead inside the house and the suspect was arrested. The person who died was identified as 32-year-old Erica Fay Welch.
Gaston County investigators identified the suspect as 51-year-old David Pace. He was charged with murder, kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a felon and assault by pointing a firearm.
At a court appearance on Friday, Pace was denied bond by a judge at the Gaston County courthouse.
During the hearing, prosecutors gave details on the incident, after receiving a 911 call about a disturbance.
“After knocking on the door, a patrol officer heard the first shot, later it was learned this shot was fired into the ceiling, as they took cover, they heard four more consecutive shots," an attorney said.
One of those shots killed Welch.
The Gaston County District Attorney’s Office said Welch is friends with Pace's son, but that they're friends too. Also, Pace made statements that "no one was going to leave" and that there was "significant drug use involved throughout the evening".
Prosecutors noted that Pace was recently released from prison in August and that he was a repeat violent offender.
The DA's office is considering filing new charges related to pace firing at officers, and if he'll be considered for the death penalty.
His next court appearance is March 28.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Gaston County Crime Stoppers at 704-861-8000. Witnesses may also call Gaston County police at 704-866-3320.
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