GASTONIA, N.C. — A Gastonia man accused of shooting and killing 33-year-old Megan Michelle Tate Friday night has been charged with murder, according to Gastonia police.
Officers said they responded before 10 p.m. to an apartment on Spring Valley Drive in Gastonia near Shannon Bradley Road.
On Saturday, Gastonia police said they have charged Shiquan Eleek Ratchford, 22, with the murder of Tate, who is also from Gastonia.
Police said they found Tate dead at the scene with a gunshot wound. Officers then learned Ratchford was the suspect who shot Tate. He fled the apartment shortly after the shooing. Officers located Ratchford shortly after and arrested him without issue.
Ratchford is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is being held without bond, according to police.
The handgun that is believed to have been used to shoot Tate was recovered by police shortly after the shooting.
(WATCH BELOW: One dead in Gastonia shooting, police say)
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