Darlene Hardin, a 57-year-old white female from Kings Mountain, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on October 24, 2022. The incident occurred near Dallas, NC, where she was found dead inside a car along with two other individuals. The Gaston County Police Department responded to the scene after receiving a call about a vehicle accident on Robinson-Clemmer Road. Upon arrival, they discovered three people who had been shot to death inside the vehicle.
The victims were identified as Darlene Hardin, the driver, Benjamin Barett Simmons, a 65-year-old white male from Gastonia, and David James Bright, a 34-year-old white male from Kings Mountain.
Investigations revealed that David James Bright, who was seated in the back seat, allegedly shot Darlene Hardin and Benjamin Simmons before turning the gun on himself. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but family members mentioned that Bright and his mother, Hardin, were very close. They were puzzled by the incident, as there were no apparent signs of conflict between them. Bright had recently broken up with his girlfriend and sought mental health help, but he seemed fine in the days leading up to the tragedy.
The incident has been classified as a double murder-suicide. The Gaston County Police Department continues to investigate the case, seeking any additional information that might shed light on the motive behind the shooting. The community remains in shock, grappling with the loss of three lives in such a tragic manner.
