Johnston County Deputies said an attempted robbery happened at Shoeheel Gas, Grocery and Grill. The grill located in the small town of Kenly, NC, and is a popular breakfast and lunch meeting spot for many locals.
Shortly before 6 p.m. the local owner was in the back of the grill, when a would-be robber walked in and pointed a gun at the owner’s son. The owner came out from the back room with his own gun. The two exchanged fire inside of the store. The suspect was hit during the exchange, but managed to walk out of the store and make to his van.
The grill owner got a second firearm and went outside to the secure the area. When he arrived outside the restaurant he encountered a second suspect. The second suspect fired onto the owner, who returned fire.
The second suspect fled into the woods on foot, and the first suspect was found dead in the van. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol searched for the second suspect using all available resources, including helicopters. The second suspect was later picked up walking down the road without incident.
The store owner, son, and the two female employees were not injured during the fire fight. “They would have likely died it the owner was not armed.” , Sheriff Steve Bizzell said Friday evening. Bizzell later added, “They robbed the wrong store.”
