GASTON – Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith is investigating the shooting death of a Gaston man who is also a suspect in a home invasion.

Smith said shortly before 1 a.m. on March 9, four armed men wearing bandanas as face masks broke into a home on Firman Myrick Street in Gaston that was occupied by a woman and five children.

The invaders performed a quick search of the home and then exited the home out the back door, according to the Sheriff.

Smith said that a minute or two after the men left the home several shots were fired.

The Gaston Police Department responded to the scene and discovered the body of Terriel Terick High, 29, of Gaston shot dead.

The sheriff said, “I feel confident the Mr. High is one of the suspects in the home invasion.”

He also said no one inside the residence was injured, but one of the people in the home said that one of the invaders assaulted her.

“This is an ongoing investigation,” Sheriff Smith said.

The SBI is helping the Northampton Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.