On Monday (Nov. 30th) at approximately 05:45 AM, Cramerton Police responded to a possible breaking and entering in progress at 428 Fifteenth Street. Once on scene, officers determined a victim, Brenton Edward McCaskill from Clover, SC, had been shot; he was transported to Caromont Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The Gaston County Police Dept. then responded to assist with the investigation.
A suspect was identified and arrested: Jonathan Elijah Jones, of 131 Haywood Terrace Drive, Gastonia. Jones was charged with 1st degree murder , 1st degree burglary, and felony conspiracy.
Cramerton Police & Gaston County Police continued their joint investigation and identified other suspects. Ramon Luis Lopez, Jr. was also charged with 1st degree murder, 1st degree burglary, and felony conspiracy.
Tyler Andrew Reno and Tyler Nathaniel Justice Leonhardt were both charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
The four range in age from 17 (turning 18 later this month) to 19 years old.
Gaston County Police encourage anyone with information about this investigation to contact Cramerton Police Department Captain N. Jones at 704-824-7964 or Gaston County Police Detective B. Dalton at 704-866-3320. Information can also be provided through CrimeStoppers at 704-861-8000.
