The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Bomb Squad said there were no explosives found in the semi-truck driven by the man suspected of robbing a bank in Zebulon.
According to Rocky Mount police, the man, Willie McGee Jr., was driving the semi-truck when he left from the Zebulon bank robbery.
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Zebulon police were able to contact the company that owned the truck, and was able to track the location to the Hobby Lobby parking lot on Sutters Creek Boulevard in Rocky Mount.
Zebulon police then contacted Rocky Mount officers to let them know where the truck was. When officers arrived, Rocky Mount police said McGee got out and began firing shots at the officers.
Shots rang out about 4:15 p.m., according to police. Rocky Mount police said officers returned fire and shot McGee. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. On Saturday afternoon, officers said McGee was "stable" at the hospital.
Upon his release from the hospital, McGee will be charged with robbery, attempted murder, two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and discharging a weapon to incite fear.
Police said McGee gave a written threat to an employee at the First Citizens Bank on Wakelon Street that said his vehicle had an explosive device inside of it.
Witnesses told WRAL several nearby stores were placed on lockdown - including TJMaxx - with employees trying to hide customers.
"I heard a lot of screaming and running," one shopper told WRAL News. "I thought somebody was fighting. And then they said it was shooting."
Tap to watch: Rocky Mount police link shooting at shopping center to bank robbery in Zebulon
He said he and other shoppers were told to go to the dressing rooms while the store was on lockdown for about 15 minutes.
Police said by 5:30 p.m. the scene was secured and there was no further threat to the public. No officers were injured in the shooting.
At least one bullet fired by someone went wide, shattering the front door of a Murphy Gas Station, that was more than a football field away.
Brienna Harrison, a clerk at the store said she was just seconds away from getting shot, herself.
Police ask that people avoid the shopping center in the 700 block of Sutter's Creek Boulevard.
Anyone with information should contact the Rocky Mount Police Department at 252-972-1411 or submit an anonymous text tip by texting the keyword “RMPD” and your message/tip to 847411.
The State Bureau of Investigation will look into the case, standard procedure when an officer fires a weapon.