Police say gunman killed wrong person - mom of 3

CLINTON, N.C. -- Police in Clinton are searching for a gunman who they said shot and killed a mother of three, who was not the intended target.

"We have at least one suspect, possibly more," said Clinton Police Chief Jay Tilley, "who walked up to the resident and fired into the bedroom window, unbeknownst if anyone was in there, just as part of a retribution possibly."

Police said the shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Gerri Newkirk, 30, was killed. The front bedroom window of her apartment was riddled with bullet holes.

Police said they don't believe the mother of three was the intended target, but her boyfriend was. He and Newkirk's children were in other rooms and were not hurt.

Tilley said Newkirk's shooting death is Clinton's first murder in over two years.

The apartment's manager says the violence has hit residents hard.

"A lot of tears, through their kids, the tenants," said manager Melissa Williams. "This has been a hard day for everybody."

It's a day that resident Patti Ward and her neighbors said they won't ever forget.

"She was a quiet person, a good mother," said Ward. "I heard three of the gunshots, and I have not been able to sleep since."

Police say they are running down leads, but Tilley is asking for the public's help.

"We need information. We need people that may have seen something, heard something, or know anything about this shooting to call police," said Tilley.

Newkirk's children are now with relatives.