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Police: Suspects used BB, airsoft gun to shoot out windows of Gastonia businesses

By Gina Esposito, wsoctv.com
By Gina Esposito, wsoctv.com

GASTONIA, N.C. — Police are investigating whether shots fired into a home and several businesses across the city overnight might be connected.

Gastonia Police said the suspects used a BB gun or an airsoft gun to shoot out windows across town at several businesses.

Detectives said officers noticed the damage as they drove by before sunrise.

Officials said five businesses and a few homes were targeted.

Four businesses off East Franklin Boulevard, including Badcock Furniture, Precision Tune Auto Care, Freeman's Car Stereo, and Killingsworth Environmental were hit.

The owner of Badcock Furniture told Channel 9 he was frustrated by the vandalism and the fact that the broken windows left his business vulnerable for several hours.

"I have security systems, surveillance camera," David Keim said. "Hopefully I can help them (police) somehow."

Keim showed Channel 9 the surveillance video from inside the business around the time of the incident.

Keim said whoever did this, did not take anything, but just made a mess. He said he has owned the furniture store for 13 years and has seen his share of issues, but this surprised him.

The Lidl grocery store off East Hudson Boulevard had three damaged windows.

Officials say a few homes were targeted as well including a home off Union Road a few miles away.

No injuries were reported.

Detectives told Channel 9 they are still collecting reports and believe they could all be connected, but no arrests have been made.

Last month, a similar crime spree involving BB guns happened in Gaston County. Belmont police arrested teens Duncan Hopkins and Nigel Baker for shooting more than 60 car windows overnight.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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