Community in shock after Lincolnton standoff

LINCOLNTON — Anthony Osborne admitted to killing his estranged wife, Tara Osborne, during a standoff and SWAT negotiations, Lincolnton police said Friday. Tara Osborne was found dead Thursday near the carport of her home on Salem Church Road in Lincolnton. Neighbors told Eyewitness News Osborne only lived in the house for about a month.

"Everybody is in shock," Carlos Mena, who lives across the street, said. "We can't believe this is happening outside our house. It's very scary."

Police released a frantic and barely audible 911 call made from Osborne's home Thursday before her death. It sounds like an argument between Tara and Anthony Osborne. You can also hear the 911 dispatcher say "Hello?" every so often, but then the call goes silent.

Police confirm Tara Osborne died of a gunshot wound.

Paige Rice lives right behind Osborne's home. She says she talked with Tara Osborne a couple of times, most recently on Sunday.

"We just had small talk, chit-chat and I went back in the house and that's the last time I saw them," Rice said. "I would never in a million years think there would be a murder in Leewood Acres."

Neighbors told police they saw a grey truck in Osborne's backyard. Police followed it to Lantern Ridge Apartments, where Anthony Osborne was eventually found.

During SWAT negotiations, police say, Anthony Osborne admitted to killing his wife, then told police, "Give me five minutes and you can come in and get my dead body."

But police had to fire tear gas to get Osborne to come out of his house. When he pointed his gun at deputies, they fired back, killing him.

Neighbors say Tara Osborne lived with her high-school-age daughter and the late couple also had a son.

The State Bureau of Investigation is helping local agencies investigate the incident.

WSOC