Elderly woman shot, killed in Shelby [ NC, That makes 4 old ladies killed now]

News 14 Carolina ^ | 2/11/2004 | By: Colin Resch,

[TaxRelief]

SHELBY, N.C. -- Shelby police are investigating the death of a partially paralyzed elderly woman.

Caroline Allen, 77, was shot and killed inside her Miles Road home Tuesday night. Police say it is the fourth time in the past six months than an elderly woman has died of suspicious causes.

Police Capt. Jeff Ledford got the call at 7 p.m. Tuesday. His initial thought? Here we go again.

Shelby police are investigating Caroline Allen's death.

"When the shift supervisor called and said: ‘Here's what we’ve got. We’ve got an elderly female that lived alone in her house and we found her deceased,’ that's the first thing that goes off -- is this tied to the other ones?" Ledford said.

Ledford does not think the latest death is related to the others, though.

"There were no similarities,” he said Wednesday. “There was forced entry at this house; there wasn't at the others. A lot of the methods were different.

“Of course, the No. 1 flag is the phone service worked in this house. They checked that and verified it."

The phone lines were cut at the homes of the other three victims. Ledford said that this fact disproves any connection and makes Allen’s death an independent homicide investigation with a motive that leans toward robbery.

Caroline Allen was found dead inside her home on Miles Road.

Neighbor Effie Wallace said she is sickened because of the death of one of her best friends.

Allen “didn't bother anybody,” Wallace said. “I don't know anybody on this street that didn't love that lady, because she was good to everybody. She was a good lady, and it breaks my heart. I'm hurt right now from that lady getting shot like that."

Wallace, who has lived in the neighborhood for 27 years, said she used to feel safe. But she said that these days, she sleeps with a gun next to her bed.

"It could happen to any of us, but they're kind of afraid of me because everybody knows that I've got a gun,” Wallace said.

Shelby police are encouraging anyone with information about Allen’s death to call them at (704) 484-6845.

[TaxRelief]

The original story: Elderly women's deaths baffle N.C. police

On TV, Shelby Police Capt. Jeff Ledford said he does not think the latest homicide is related to the others. I suspect they are related.

It is a southern rural custom to play things down to prevent panic (quite the opposite in the cities).

[TaxRelief]

Serial Killer in Shelby, NC?

NC Ping*

Let me, Mykdsmom or Constitution Day know if you want on or off the NCPing list or if you think you've been accidentally dropped or ....

[anniegetyourgun]

"It could happen to any of us, but they're kind of afraid of me because everybody knows that I've got a gun,” Wallace said.

[TaxRelief]

Coroline Allen's house


Earlier related story: Police investigate mysterious deaths.

[sneakers]

"Caroline Allen, 77, was shot and killed inside her Miles Road home Tuesday night. Police say it is the fourth time in the past six months than an elderly woman has died of suspicious causes."

Suspicious causes?! I would say it's clear case of murder! It's way beyond 'suspicious'!

[sneakers]

"It could happen to any of us, but they're kind of afraid of me because everybody knows that I've got a gun,” Wallace said"

Says it all.

[nuconvert]

"she said that these days, she sleeps with a gun next to her bed.
"It could happen to any of us, but they're kind of afraid of me because everybody knows that I've got a gun,” Wallace said."

What's with Shelby? Dangerous place? Maybe people should gather at the local coffee shop and start talking about how they all have guns. (even if they don't).Let the word spread around town. Seems to be a deterrent for Ms. Wallace.

[magslinger]

Maybe people should gather at the local coffee shop and start talking about how they all have guns. (even if they don't).Let the word spread around town. Seems to be a deterrent for Ms. Wallace.

How about Senior Citizen Day at the local gun shop? Discounts and free coffee for senior citizens. Most gun shops are pretty quiet during the week, and the extra traffic couldn't hurt.

[nuconvert]

Good Idea

[Tax-chick]

Sure is a radically different m.o. from the others, though. Remind me to move to another state once I'm over 70!

[Joe Brower]

[WV Mountain Mama]

Plus, now she is in the paper and EVERYBODY knows, not just her neighbors. Smart move on this woman's part!