Patrick Shawn Schneider, 25, of Gastonia, North Carolina, died on November 11, 2017, after being found in the street with a gunshot wound to the chest. Officers and Gaston Emergency Medical Services attempted life-saving measures, and he was pronounced dead at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia.

The shooting followed a dispute over cars parked in front of a neighbor’s residence. Gregory Howard Town, 59, who lived nearby, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Town said he was standing his ground and invoked the state’s Castle Doctrine; his attorney maintained Schneider was the aggressor and that Town believed Schneider was trespassing. Witnesses, including a medical examiner and a woman who was present, testified at a pre-trial hearing.

A plea of guilty to second-degree murder was entered by Town as a jury was being selected for the scheduled first-degree trial. If anyone knew Patrick, saw the confrontation that night, or has information about the dispute, please share what we should know.