One killed in Johnston County attempted robbery

The robbery happened shortly before 6 p.m. at Shoeheel Grill, Grocery and Gas at 8212 Old Beulah Road in Kenly, Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said.

The owner, his son and two female employees were the only people in the store when a man walked in and displayed a weapon, Bizzell said. The man pointed the gun at the owner’s son. The owner came from a back room with a weapon.

The two exchanged gunfire in the store. The suspect was shot but made it outside to his van, Bizzell said.

The owner also went outside and noticed a second suspect in the parking lot, Bizzell said. At this point, the owner had gotten a second weapon. The second suspect began firing a rifle at the owner, who returned fire. 

The second suspect fled on foot into some nearby woods, Bizzell said. The first suspect was found dead in his van.

The State Highway Patrol’s helicopter was used to search for the second suspect, but he remained at large Friday night.

The store owner, his son and the employees were not injured. Bizzell said they would have likely died if the owner was not armed.

Friday night’s robbery was 5 miles from two armed robberies that occurred a few weeks ago, Bizzell said. He said robberies are not related.