Sheriff had denied gun permit to Greenville shooting suspect

Lakim Anthony Faust, 23, was charged Monday with four counts of attempted murder in the shootings in the parking lots of Kellum Law Firm and Walmart, both on Greenville Boulevard.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Christy Wallace said Faust's gun permit application was rejected in August.

Under existing law, anyone wishing to buy a handgun must get a permit from the local sheriff, who has the discretion of approving or rejecting it. No permit is required to purchase a shotgun or rifle.

State lawmakers are working on legislation that would eliminate the permit system. Sheriffs and Attorney General Roy Cooper oppose the proposed change.

Investigators say Faust was armed with a shotgun and a satchel full of ammunition when he allegedly shot one person outside the law firm and then crossed the street to the store, where he shot three more people in the parking lot.

Faust was then taken down in a gunfire exchange with officers outside the Walmart, police said.

Police waited until he was released from Vidant Medical Center to charge him.

The four shooting victims were identified Monday as Timothy Edwards, 64, Vernon Leggett, 69, and Haywood Whichard Jr., 50, all of Greenville, and Carroll Oakes, 70, of Grifton. Police didn't disclose which of the four was shot outside the law office.

Their conditions were unknown Monday, but police described their injuries as serious.

Investigators haven't found any links between Faust and the four victims. Evidence gathered during a search of Faust's home appears to show he had some plan for the attack and wanted to shoot a number of people.