GASTONIA, N.C. — A Gastonia woman was shot and killed when multiple bullets were fired into a Gaston County home late Monday night, according to her family. The shooting is under investigation by the Gastonia Police Department.
The woman was identified by her family as 39-year-old Latasha Nichole Cureton. Photos provided to WCNC Charlotte by the family appear to show numerous bullet holes in the front door. Another photo shows where a bullet seemingly struck a light switch.
Cureton's daughter said she was inside the house on Morgan Street with about nine other family members when an unknown shooter opened fire from outside, piercing walls and windows, and forcing everyone inside to take cover, including a one-year-old child.
"We thought it was fireworks," her daughter said. "It was getting louder and louder. We got on the ground covering each other. Covering the little ones.”
The family said Cureton was visiting the house at the time and asleep when the shots rang out.
"Realized she had been shot, but at that point, it was too late," her daughter said. "Losing your mom is just something you cannot, I don't see how people get over that.”
The shooting happened around 11:50 p.m. Monday night, according to Gastonia Police.
Her family says they're leaning on faith and praying that whoever is responsible will be put behind bars.
"Beautiful woman. I can honestly go on and on. Everyone knows she never bothered nobody. Worked all day, came home. She didn't deserve that. She didn't at all. She never bothered anybody," Cureton's daughter said. "By the grace of God, I pray that you come forward and just let this be settled. If you know anything, let this be settled. Please.”
Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact Gastonia Police.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.
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