GASTONIA, N.C. — Pamela Shanks was killed in a shooting on a Monday afternoon at her home, prompting a police investigation as authorities search for a suspect.
Shanks lived at the residence with her fiancé, Albert Webber, who witnessed the immediate aftermath of the gunfire.
Investigators arrived at the scene to collect evidence and identify the shooter involved in the incident.
Albert Webber, fiancé of Shanks, was in the front of the residence when gunfire erupted.
“That’s when I heard it boom, boom, boom, boom. The only thing I could think is, ‘Lord, don’t let her be done got hit,’” Webber described.
His daughter ran through the house to alert him to the shooting. Webber rushed toward the rear of the home, hoping Shanks had survived.
“I hoped to come to the back and say, if she been hit, let her still make it,” Webber said.
Webber found Shanks sitting in a chair near the back door. Pointing to the location where he discovered her, Webber said, “In that chair there.”
He described reaching her side. “I came through as fast as I could and looked down,” Webber said.
Reflecting on the situation, Webber remarked, “Probably would have been me too.”
He paid tribute to his partner of 30 years, saying, “She was a lovely person,” and added, “I’m going to miss her.”
According to relatives, the couple’s foster son had gotten into an argument with an acquaintance prior to the gunfire. Relatives reported that the dispute may have led to the shooting at the home.
Police examined evidence left at the scene as part of the search for the shooter.
Friends and family members described Shanks as well-loved within her community.
Wanda Jackson, a friend of Shanks, spoke about the need for accountability following the shooting. “Justice needs to be served for whoever did this,” Jackson said.
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
