Family Members Shocked By Murder-SuicideDALLAS, NC - Today, it’s quiet outside the Gaston County home police say was the scene of a quadruple murder-suicide. Investigators say 25-year-old Austen Minter shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend Tracy Hedgepath along with their six and three year old kids. A seven year old daughter was also shot and is in critical condition.
“It was just a big shock what happened, really, I mean because of the neighborhood and kids being involved,” said Gastonia resident Taquina Darby.
Darby is Minter’s cousin. She and other family members gathered today at their nearby home.
“Me personally, I just don't feel, I don't believe it was him that did it, he loved his kids, he was a good person,” Darby says.
Police and neighbors though tell quite a different story. Residents say it’s not the first time they’ve seen police respond to the house.
Cops say they’ve come here several times for incidents such as domestic violence, car theft, and burglary.
Darby says whatever happened was unfair to those who died.
“Especially to the kids, and then her being pregnant, three months pregnant,” she says.
In the front yard there are reminders of those who lived here, including bicycles and a tire swing.
Now hope turns to the one daughter who survived.
‘She was innocent, I just pray to God that she makes it,” Darby says.
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