A Gastonia man has been charged in the double murder of a Fort Mill mother and son, according to the York County Sheriff’s Office.
Paul Eugene Bumgardner, 45, of Gastonia, N.C., was arrested at a home in Gastonia just before 8 p.m. Thursday without incident, authorities said. Bumgarner is charged with two counts of murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and burglary first degree.
Bumgardner is suspected of killing Betty Reynolds, 71, and her son, Barry Reynolds, 40, who were found deceased last Tuesday at their home on Saddle Ridge Road. The discovery of their bodies came after officers went there for a well-being check.
A motive was not released, but the burglary charge suggests the killings happened during a break-in. Patrick Schneider, the brother of Betty Reynolds, posted a Facebook message after the killings, saying his sister and her son were “taken in a home invasion.” Authorities did not confirm that.
“The outstanding and diligent work by our team to develop this person as a suspect and get him into custody in nine days is admirable,” said Sheriff Kevin Tolson in a press release.
Bumgardner is being held at the Gastonia Police Department until the extradition process back to York County. Gaston County Police and Gastonia Police assisted in the arrest. This case remains under investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
