Gaston Talks

Gaston Talks Gaston Talks alerts citizens Breaking News and Local Happenings around Gaston County.

01/10/2024

Gaston county will have a local driver at Daytona this year! Caleb Costner of Dallas will be going full time!

Storms are beginning to move in around the Gaston County and surrounding area, if you have any photos damage please comm...
03/03/2023

Storms are beginning to move in around the Gaston County and surrounding area, if you have any photos damage please comment them down below or send us a private message along with the location. Thank you!

At approximately 0700 this morning (2/1/23) Hugh’s Pond VFD was dispatched to a MVA with injuries. Engine 720 checked en...
02/01/2023

At approximately 0700 this morning (2/1/23) Hugh’s Pond VFD was dispatched to a MVA with injuries. Engine 720 checked en route and was notified that the accident involved a bus. Car 72 arrived on scene and advised that the 5 children aboard where uninjured and able to exit the bus, but the driver was partially pinned with minor injuries. Car 72 established 72 command and requested Waco VFD (station 74) to respond to assist in potential extraction. Engine 720’s crew was able to remove the driver from the back emergency door and mutual aid was canceled. Units remained on scene for almost 2 hours before clearing.

01/01/2023

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE:

Officer Kwaku Riley Agyapon Charged with First-Degree Murder

Sunday, January 1st 2023 at 2:20 pm.

At approximately 2:15 am on January 1, 2023, the Ranlo Police Department responded to a call for service on Burlington Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers observed that an off-duty Ranlo Police Officer had been involved in a domestic dispute. Officer Kwaku Riley Agyapon had been stabbed multiple times and had discharged his service weapon, killing the stabbing suspect.

Ranlo Police immediately turned the investigation over to Gaston County Police and requested the assistance of State Bureau of Investigations.

Following an investigation the SBI, in consultation with the Gaston County District Attorney's Office, obtained a warrant for the charge of first-degree murder against Mr. Agyapon.

The Ranlo Chief of Police Jimmy Lunsford and Town Manager Jonathan Blanton have also placed Mr. Agyapon on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Mr. Agyapon is currently under observation at CaroMont Health and upon his discharge from the hospital will be taken to the Gaston County Jail.

The SBI is investigating the matter, and all inquiries should be directed to their office at [email protected].

01/01/2023

Off-duty Ranlo officer involved in domestic dispute, gets stabbed then shoots and kills suspect. SBI Investigating.

At approximately 2:15 am on January 1, 2023, the Ranlo Police Department responded to a call for service on Burlington Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers observed an off-duty Ranlo Police Officer had been involved in a domestic dispute. The officer had been stabbed multiple times and had shot and killed the stabbing suspect.

Ranlo Police immediately turned the investigation over to Gaston County Police and requested the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigations.

The SBI is investigating the matter, and all inquiries should be directed to their office.

This is a breaking story and more updates will be provided as they are available.

12/14/2022

: GASTON COUNTY POLICE CHARGE 3 PEOPLE IN DEATH OF 4 YEAR OLD

On Tuesday December 13, 2022 at 4:22 PM, the Gaston County Police
Department responded to 107 Cindy Lane, Gastonia, in reference to a shooting. Upon
arrival, County Police officers located a 4-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite lifesaving measures, the victim succumbed to his injuries.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined the child’s
mother, father, and another relative living in the residence failed to properly secure a
firearm. The decedent and one of his siblings found the firearm. While in possession of
the firearm, the gun discharged one time, striking the victim, resulting in the child’s
death.
After consulting with the Gaston County District Office, the decision was made to
arrest all three adults. They have been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter,
felony child abuse, and the misdemeanor charge of storing a firearm in a manner
accessible to a minor The suspects charged are:
Savannah Leigh Brehm, 1/26/2000, 107 Cindy Lane, Gastonia, NC
Hector Manuel Mendoza, 3/9/2000, 107 Cindy Lane, Gastonia, NC
Keith Deshawn Strughill, 3/23/2001, 107 Cindy Lane, Gastonia, Gastonia, NC
This is an on-going investigation. The Gaston County Police encourages anyone
with information related to this case to contact Detective H. King at 704-866-3320 or
Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000.

On December 9th, 2022 at about 4:15 PM, the Gaston County Police Department responded to the Family Dollar located at 20...
12/13/2022

On December 9th, 2022 at about 4:15 PM, the Gaston County Police Department responded to the Family Dollar located at 2001 Davis Park Road, near Gastonia, NC, in reference to an armed robbery. Initial reports indicated the business was robbed at gunpoint by two African American males. The two suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash from the business in a vehicle. A Gaston County Sheriff’s Deputy located the vehicle a short distance away. The Gaston County Police K9 Unit tracked the two suspects. During this track, items of evidentiary value were located. The two suspects were able to evade arrest.

The Criminal Investigations Unit has been investigating this incident since it occurred. Detectives were able to identify suspect #1 as:

​Julio Angel Escalera Padilla of Gastonia, NC- There are currently outstanding warrants for Padilla. Padilla is considered armed and dangerous.

Suspect #2 is described as an African American male approximately 35 to 45 years of age, between 5’ 5” and 5’ 8”, and weighing between 230 and 250 pounds.

The Gaston County Police wishes to acknowledge the cooperation between several agencies that assisted with this investigation, including the Gastonia Police and Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.

The public is urged to contact the Gaston County Police with any information related to the location of Padilla. Citizens should not attempt to detain Padilla. Instead, citizens are encouraged to call 911 if they encounter the suspect.

This is an on-going investigation. If you have information pertinent to the investigation, such as the identification of the second suspect, please call Gaston County Police Detective C. Cogdill at 704-866-3320. Information can also be provided through Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information provided in this case.

PHOTO 1: Identified as Julio Angel Escalera Padilla

PHOTO 2: Unidentified Suspect

On September 26th, 2022 at approximately 6:45 AM, officers with the Gaston County Police Department responded to the 800...
12/13/2022

On September 26th, 2022 at approximately 6:45 AM, officers with the Gaston County Police Department responded to the 800 block of Kiser Road, located near Bessemer City, in reference to an unconscious patient. Upon arrival, officers found a juvenile female deceased from a probable drug overdose. Due to the victim’s age, the County Police are not releasing their information.

Through the investigative process, the Criminal Investigations Unit identified two persons involved in supplying Fentanyl pills that resulted in the victim’s death. Those persons are:
Nicholas Gage Ivey, 19, of Spindale, NC

Deontae Jaquise Miller, 24, of Rutherford ton, NC

The Criminal Investigations Unit worked with the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office to determine appropriate charges. Both individuals were charged with the following charges:
Death by Distribution
Felony Conspiracy
Felony Conspiracy to Sell/ Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substances

Both parties were located and arrested on December 12, 2022 by members of the Gaston County Police Criminal Investigations Unit and Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

The Defendants appeared before a Gaston County District Court Judge on December 13, 2022 for their first appearance, where they each received a secured bond in the amount of $500,000.00. Both defendants remain in the Gaston County Jail.

The Gaston County Police Department would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and the Rutherfordton Police Department. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit was extremely helpful with this investigation.

This is an on-going investigation. If you have information pertinent to the investigation, the Gaston County Police encourages you to contact Det. S. Brogden at 704-866-3320. Information can also be provided through Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000.

UPDATE: Gunner has been found! Thank you to everyone who shared. Photos below show K-9 Gunner being reunited with his ha...
12/08/2022

UPDATE: Gunner has been found! Thank you to everyone who shared. Photos below show K-9 Gunner being reunited with his handler.

MISSING: The York County Sheriff’s Office says that during K-9 training yesterday the pictured bloodhound “Gunner” je**ed away from his handler and ran off into the woods around 3:00 pm at Kings Mountain State Park. Gunner has not been seen since. We’re told that Gunner has his harness and long lead (Leash) on him. If you have seen him, do not approach him and please contact the York County Sheriff’s Office right away. Authorities say Gunner broke free from his handler in the area of the Living History Farm inside Kings Mountain State Park off Camp Cherokee Road.

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Thank you.

As we approach the end of 2019, I want to recap what an eventful year this has been for Gaston Talks. When I started this page, I never thought it would grow to this level under a 17-year-old's guidance and leadership. Yes, I had help along the way whether it was a follower, news reporter, friend, or public official, and I am grateful for the constructive criticism. Stories have spanned from car crashes, to a 12 hour power outage, to teenagers life's being lost due to drowning, or a horrible fall at a trampoline park and a man rolling an inflatable ball across the country to raise awareness to diabetes. This year has been a year of tragedy, sadness, happiness and joy. 2019 is leaving us but the legacy that this year left behind will certainly not be forgotten. 2020 is now upon us, big things are happening this year not only in Gaston County but across the country. The 2020 RNC is coming to Charlotte, a presidential election, cars will drive themselves, 5G Data Networks, the list goes on infinitely. This year also brings new opportunities for us to put our best foot forward and make a difference, this is YOUR year!

I want to thank each and everyone of you for supporting me along this journey. I never thought any of this would be possible, and Gaston Talk continues to grow with your support. I cannot wait to see what 2020 holds for us!