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Suspect in Wendell store shooting sought

Wendell police continued to search Thursday for a 21-year-old man accused of shooting three people at a grocery store a day earlier.

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WENDELL, N.C. — Wendell police continued to search Thursday for a 21-year-old man accused of shooting three people at a grocery store a day earlier.

Police Chief Vance Johnson said that Tariq James Taylor shot a man and two women inside the Food Lion, at 2837 Wendell Boulevard, around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday after a domestic dispute with his partner, who works at the store.

Jason Jeffery, 20, was in critical condition at WakeMed Hospital early Thursday. Laquanda Beecher 19, also remained hospitalized, but her injuries were non-life-threatening.

Shaquita Baker, 22, was treated and released from WakeMed.

Food Lion employee Brent Thomas said he saw the two men arguing before the shooting and tried to break it up. 

"I was telling him to leave. I was pushing on him, but it was like I wasn't even there," Thomas said. "He was pale. He was sweating. It looked like he could have been on something."

Just a few minutes later, Thomas said, he heard gunshots and found the male employee shot multiple times and another employee shot in the leg. Thomas said a woman interviewing for a job was also shot. 

Taylor remains at large. Police said search dogs couldn't get a scent because of heavy rains Wednesday night.

Court records show that Taylor was charged with second-degree trespassing on Oct. 15 and was scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 22.

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