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AHOSKIE – An investigation is underway after an Ahoskie woman was shot and killed here Friday night.

Patrice Matthews-Faison, 38, of Hall Siding Road was shot as she sat in a vehicle parked at the old Sunoco gas station located just across the Ahoskie Creek bridge on NC Highway 42 West. That gas station has been closed for a number of years.

She died at the scene, according to the Ahoskie Police.

Ahoskie Police Major Jimmy Asbell said investigators are still gathering information and tracking down leads.

There was no information made available as to a possible motive for the murder or a possible suspect in the crime.

“All I can say at this point is we are actively working this case along with the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigation,” Asbell said on Saturday. “We thank the SBI for their assistance as well as thanking the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office for their help as well.”

On Tuesday, Asbell said the Ahoskie Police awaits the results of an autopsy from the State Medical Examiner’s Office. He added that investigators are still working around the clock on the case.

“We’re at it 24/7,” he stressed. “We’re hoping that effort will lead to a break in this case.”

Asbell said the original call about the shooting came in shortly after 8 pm on Jan. 22. He did not identify the person who made that call.

Upon arrival on the scene, law enforcement officers quickly sealed off the parking lot and shut down both lanes of NC 42 for a prolonged period of time.

APD Detective Naomi Mizelle and Detective Sgt. Stephen White are leading the investigation.

Asbell encouraged anyone who may have saw or heard something around 8 pm on Friday in the area of the murder to please contact the Ahoskie Police Department at 252-332-5011.

“Your name will be kept confidential; all we need is any information you can share on this case,” said Asbell.

Less than a week prior to her murder, Matthews-Faison held a drive-thru parade in the (Gates County) Central Middle School parking lot to honor her 13-year-old son who is a student-athlete at that school. He had battled and overcame the ill effects of MIS-C, a condition that is possibly linked to COVID-19.