Timothy Philbeck, 61, was killed while helping a friend whose vehicle was stuck off Goble Street near Huffman Road south of Gastonia on the evening of August 22, 2025. Neighbors reported hearing shots; police and first responders arrived about 8:27–8:30 p.m. and found two victims inside a vehicle. Philbeck was dead at the scene; the other man suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center.

Family members described Philbeck as a gentle, reliable man who had gone only to lend a hand. Authorities confirmed the death as a homicide and opened an investigation; as of the reports published by August 26, 2025, no arrests had been announced and no suspect had been publicly identified. Detectives asked anyone with information to contact Detective Z. Castaneda or Crime Stoppers.

If anyone was in the Goble Street–Huffman Road area that night or has information about the shooting, please contact the Gaston County Police Department.