Attempted robbery turns deadly

KENLY, N.C. Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell tells Eyewitness News the robbery happened just before 6 p.m. at the Shoeheel Gas, Grocery, and Grill on Old Beulah Road.

He says the store owner - who had a gun, his son, and two females were inside the store, when a man walked in and pointed the gun in a threatening manner.

That's when deputies say a shootout ensued inside the store.

The suspect was hit, and ran outside to his van, where he was later found dead by deputies.

Meanwhile, deputies say Felipe Alejandro Ortiz, 17, of Selma, was also involved in the incident, and is believed to have exchanged gunfire with the owner outside the store.

He was arrested early Saturday morning after an hours-long manhunt, and charged with attempted robbery and attempted murder.

Nobody inside the store was hurt.

Deputies have not identified the suspect who was killed.

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