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Woman shot, killed while in town for sister-in-law's funeral, police say

GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia police spent the weekend searching for the gunman who opened fire on a house, killing a woman inside Saturday.

Family members said Jacobia Lane was in town for her sister-in-law’s funeral.

Lane, along with 30 other people, was at her brother’s house on Nottingham Drive around midnight Saturday, when someone fired more than a dozen bullets into the house, killing her.

After laying his wife to rest Saturday morning, Lane’s brother, Timothy English, and dozens of family members came back to the house to comfort one another and make a plea to the public.

"This is not somebody who goes and does wrong. She is someone who loves her family,” English said.

Lane’s family is begging her killer to come forward, and support for the family is pouring in from their church and many others in the community.

“We don't want no one else to hurt like we're hurting,” said English. “Just please do the right thing, that's all I ask.”

Lane’s husband said he’s not angry with the shooter, but said, “We want them to come forward and face justice."

A teenager in the house was also hit in the arm, but he will be OK, police said.

Lane's family held a vigil in their front yard on Sunday and asked for someone to come forward to give them justice.

Neighbor Tyler Sausedo said his heart goes out to them during this double tragedy.

"I feel bad for the family though because I heard what happened. It's just sad," he said.

Police have not made any arrests, and are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

Anyone with information is asked to call Gastonia police at 704-866-6702 or Crime Stoppers of Gaston County at 704-861-8000.

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