Wendell shooting suspect commits suicide

A man accused of shooting three people at a Wendell Food Lion Wednesday night has killed himself, police announced Thursday.

A homeowner on Marshburn Road called 911 after finding the body of Tariq James Taylor, 21, in a barn behind the house. Authorities have not said how Taylor killed himself.

Wendell Police Chief Vance Johnson said Taylor shot a man and two women inside the Food Lion, at 2837 Wendell Blvd., around 7:15 p.m. after a domestic dispute with his partner, Jason Jeffery, who works at the store. The gun used in the shooting was recovered in the store.

Investigators say Jeffery walked into an office and Taylor fired about 10 shots through the door, striking Jeffery multiple times. Bullets also hit two women – another employee and a woman interviewing for a job.

Jeffery, 20, was in critical condition at WakeMed Friday. Laquanda Beecher, 19, and Shaquita Baker, 22, both of Wendell, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police released a 911 call from a person who was outside Food Lion during the shooting. The following are excerpts from the call:

Caller: Some guy just ran in (Food Lion) with a gun.

Dispatcher: OK, I'm going to stay on the line with you, OK?

Caller: Gunshots!

Dispatcher: Is anybody hit?

Caller: Uh, I don't know.

Dispatcher: Stay on the line with me, OK? Can you tell me what they look like?

Caller: It’s a black guy in a wool cap. He was wearing a hoodie.

Dispatcher: Which way did he go?

Caller: He’s still inside Food Lion right now.

Dispatcher: Do you know where in the Food Lion he is? Is he at the registers?

Caller: Hold on. He just ran past me.

Dispatcher: Is it a handgun?

Caller: Yeah, it’s a handgun. He actually ran behind the building ... I don’t know if he’s still behind the building or if he ran past beyond the trees or beyond the brush ... Oh God.

Dispatcher: Alright, you’re doing great. You’re doing absolutely great.

Food Lion spokeswoman Christy Phillips-Brown released a statement Thursday, saying the store is "working closely with authorities and cooperating with the investigation of this unfortunate incident. Our thoughts are with those affected by this situation."

Court records show that Taylor was charged with second-degree trespassing on Oct. 15 and was scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 22. The charge stemmed from an "Occupy Raleigh" protest at the State Capitol, when 20 people were arrested after police said they overstayed their permit to protest on Capitol grounds.