Three shot at Wendell Food Lion, shooter at large

Wendell police were searching for a 21-year-old man accused of shooting three people at a grocery store Wednesday evening.

Authorities said the shooting took place inside the Food Lion, at 2837 Wendell Boulevard, around 7:15 p.m. as the result of a domestic dispute between an employee and his partner.

Police said Tariq James Taylor is a suspect in the shooting and are attempting to locate him.

Food Lion employee Brent Thomas saw the two men arguing 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." 

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. 

The victims were taken to WakeMed Hospital. Their names were not released. The male employee involved in the dispute was in serious condition and one of the other victims was listed in fair condition, authorities said.

Initially search dogs were used to track the shooter, but due to heavy rains they were unable to get a scent, authorities said.