Man wanted in Gastonia shooting arrested after chase ends in woods

One person died in a shooting along Old Church Road in Gastonia on the night of Monday, Nov. 2.

Police arrested Jeffery Martin shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 3. He faces charges of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, felony larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Martin is currently held without bond in the Gaston County Jail.

The initial shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. along Old Church Road near Lewis Road. Officers arrived at the scene and found one victim dead. A witness gave police a description of the suspect and the vehicle used to flee.

Officers located the suspect vehicle on Crowders Creek Road and attempted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Martin, sped away from the stop. The pursuit continued until it reached Stallion Way near Hoffman Road. At that point, Martin left the car and ran into a nearby neighborhood.

Police and K-9 units searched the area and found Martin in the woods. Officers took him into custody without incident. The arrest concluded a search that began less than three hours after the fatal shooting.