HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office are investigating the death of a convenience store clerk Thursday night during an apparent robbery.

Investigators found William King, 51, dead shortly after 7 p.m. at Emma's Quick Stop at the corner of Carr Store and Mill Creek roads in the northern part of the county. Ray was slumped in a chair behind the counter and had been shot to death.

According to deputies, the shooting may have been part of a robbery. The store's cash register was open and empty when they arrived. They believe King may have been in the process of tallying the day's sales receipts when the murder occurred.

Interviews with neighbors and friends revealed that King always tried to close the store by 7 p.m. each day.

No information has been released about a possible suspect.