Witness: Clerk thought man was stealing, stabbed him in downtown Raleigh

Twelve hours later, police on Friday were still at the scene of a Thursday night stabbing in downtown Raleigh.

Witnesses told WRAL News that a store clerk around 3:45 p.m. stabbed a customer at Taz's Supermarket One at 207 S. Wilmington St.

The victim was 30 years old, according to Raleigh police.

WRAL News learned from witnesses at the scene that a customer stumbled outside the business before collapsing.

Scott McMahon said he heard a lot of screaming and commotion from a nearby restaurant. He rushed outside to see the man stabbed and started to perform CPR.

"He had a stab wound to his chest, rough, rough shape," McMahon said. "When I was with him, his pupils were pinpointed, he was not breathing, I could not feel a pulse."

McMahon, who has worked in the emergency room for 20 years, described the stabbing victim as gravely injured when he arrived.

"There was a young man lying in the street," McMahon said. "He had a stab wound to his chest right about here and here. I couldn't feel a pulse, so I did a few rounds of CPR. And about that time, the police showed up and took him away."

Witnesses said the situation began with an argument inside the store.

Radio traffic released from the stabbing indicates paramedics' critical moments with the victim.

"He has a stab wound to his the left side of his chest; we have sealed that one, and also by his armpit," said the paramedic.

Witnesses like Synscrer Palmer speak about the unnecessary violent scene that unfolded in front of him and his young son.

"The store owner said that the guy was stealing, he wasn't stealing, he turned, he pulled out a knife, threatened the man a couple of times," Palmer said. "The man kept saying leave me alone; I didn't take nothing, I didn't take nothing, I didn't take nothing. They started fighting. The store owner stabbed him about two, three times."

The victim is still alive but in critical condition and is being treated at WakeMed.

Police are questioning the clerk, and the incident is still under investigation.

"No amount of product is worth another man's life," Palmer said.

Anyone who believes they may have information that might assist the investigation is asked to visit Crimestoppers at www.p3tips.com/89 for anonymous reporting options or call 919-996-1193.