Woman dies after birthday party fight

Harnett County deputies discovered Justina Nichole Hodges inside a Lillington residence with a gunshot wound just before 4 a.m. on Sunday. The 40-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 4:30 a.m.

Sheriff's Office investigators stated that a physical altercation among attendees triggered the shooting. The incident occurred at a birthday celebration held on Murchison Lane.

Witnesses described an active scene where partygoers administered first aid to Hodges before emergency crews arrived. Harnett County EMS units subsequently performed life-saving measures, but the patient did not survive.

Deputies had responded to the exact same address approximately three hours earlier, around 1:15 a.m., to address a complaint regarding loud music. Officers spoke with people present at that time but did not issue citations or clear the party.

Law enforcement estimates that at least 20 people were inside the home during the event. The investigation remains open as detectives review the timeline of the two separate police calls.

Authorities have asked anyone who attended the gathering to reach out to the Harnett County Detective Division or the county tip line. The detective division can be contacted at (910)-893-0140, while the tip line operates at (910)-893-0300.