COLFAX, N.C. — Greensboro police are looking into suspects tied to the shooting at the Sheetz on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax Saturday afternoon that left an off-duty Greensboro police sergeant dead.
Investigators said the off-duty officer saw a crime in progress and was trying to stop it when he was shot. Coincidently, another off-duty officer and a Guilford County paramedic were on the scene. They rushed to help the officer, but he later died at the hospital.
Rick Bradberry said he pulled into the Sheetz on his way to treat his wife and grandson to dinner.
"When I pulled into Sheetz, I noticed that all the pumps were available. I pulled my Jeep into pump number four and proceeded to fill up. Soon an ambulance pulled into a pump about two spaces over from me. Someone got out of the ambulance and walked into the Sheetz. Immediately there were fived rapid gunshots from the far side of Sheetz," Bradberry said.
He said he scanned the area to see where the shots were coming from for the safety of himself and his family, and then saw people running out of the Sheetz.
"A few people came running out of Sheetz both from the front door and the side door facing Northern Tools. Two or three people came from the far side of Sheetz, the person belonging to the ambulance came out the front. A younger black male stopped the ambulance person and spoke to him quickly. The person from the ambulance got into the vehicle and drove to the far side where the shots came from. This all happened right at 4 p.m. as my receipt from the pump reads 4:01 p.m.," Bradberry said.
Bradberry said he stayed in his truck during the entire time. It was only when the commotion died down, that he felt it was safe to leave.
"I got into the truck and started pulling away. As we drove around the last pump to turn back onto Sandy Ridge Road, we looked back toward the Sheetz and I could see a man lying on his back in the parking area," Bradberry said.
He soon found out that it was an officer who was shot and killed. Having friends who are officers, Bradberry said it was tragic for him and his family to learn of the news.
"All the different scenarios running through my head of what could have happened. I am so sad that this officer lost his life. A person or officer losing their life over something senseless is just unfortunate," Bradberry said.
Nick Ruffner, PR Manager for Sheetz released this statement:
Sheetz is incredibly saddened by the violence that took place at our store on Sandy Ridge Road yesterday afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Greensboro police department and the family of the police officer who lost his life. The safety of our customers and employees at Sheetz is a top priority in every community we serve. We are working with the police department to investigate this matter and will do whatever we can to assist with the ongoing investigation.