Arrest reported after body is found in burning car in Gaston County

Charlotte police have charged a man with murder after a burned body was found in a car in Gaston County Wednesday evening. Police believe the body is connected to a shooting that afternoon in northwest Charlotte.

At about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting at a home in the 6600 block of Woodland Circle, off Oakdale Road south of Sunset Road. Police said they found a male with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Medic took the victim to Carolinas Medical Center.

While investigating the shooting, police said they learned that Ranlo police had responded to a vehicle fire and found a person dead inside. The victim was identified late Thursday afternoon as Norris Martin, 34.

James Hampton Evans, 28, has been arrested in the case and charged with murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, breaking and entering, possession of a firearm by a relon, and kidnapping.

Evans was found attempting to flee from the burning vehicle when officers from the Ranlo police department responded to reports of a burning vehicle on Spencer Mountain Road, near Warlick Academy, an alternative school.

Authorities have not said how they believe the cases are related but said those involved knew each other.

Ranlo police were out investigating the case Thursday morning and were unavailable for comment, a town spokeswoman said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police encourage anyone with information about the incidents to call 704-432-TIPS (8477) and speak with a homicide detective. Or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 6:45 AM with the headline "Arrest reported after body is found in burning car in Gaston County."