Witnesses recall shooting at Apex Super Target

Tim Haynes said he was inside the Beaver Creek Commons store when he heard a loud noise.

“We heard this bang and there was a silence," he said. "Everyone kind of looked around, not quite sure what it was and then someone screamed, 'Help!'"

Jon Wolfe was in the produce section of the store with his wife and four-year-old child when he heard gunshots.

“People were stunned after the first one and everyone did that sort of look around. Then after the second shot was fired, there was an employee ... yelling, 'Everyone get out!'” Wolfe said.

Cynthia Freeman said after she heard gunshots, she ran to a storage room inside the store.

“We just ran and hid in any place we could find,” she said.

Four people suffered minor injuries while trying to flee the Target, Stephens said. Some shoppers ran to a nearby Lowes.

“There were people with some scrapes and everyone trying to to tend to them immediately. They were upset. We gave them water and put a bunch of chairs out for them so they could sit down,” Lowes manager Jackie Bunch said.

Haynes said he made it safely to his car with his child.

“And all I could think of was keeping him alive, that is all that went through my mind,” he said.

Another customer with whom WRAL News spoke with said he saw a trail of sandals and flip-flops as he ran. He said people were rushing out of the store so quickly that they left their personal belongings behind.

Rosas had been working at Target as a cashier for about two years. She had been a relationship with the shooter that ended in 2005, Stephens said.

The shooter has been identified, but authorities are not releasing his name pending notification of next of kin.

Target spokeswoman Brandy Doyle released a statement Sunday following the shooting.

"Target is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our team members and the tragic event that took place at our Apex, North Carolina, store shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday morning. The store was immediately evacuated following the incident and we are cooperating fully with law enforcement in its investigation," Doyle stated.

Anyone who saw anything but left Target prior to police's arrival should contact Apex police at 919-362-8661.