BERTIE COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — A man was shot to death in the parking lot of a Dollar General store in Bertie County, according to the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a shots fired call at a Dollar General store in Merry Hill.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they found 60-year-old William Thomas Johnson lying in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds. They quickly secured the scene with the assistance of the NC State Highway Patrol so that EMS could respond and assess the victim.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies and state troopers and Ahoskie police canvassed the area in search of the suspect.

Authorities said the suspect fled on foot from the scene and shortly afterwards got inside a nearby vehicle. He is described as a Black male wearing a blue hoodie and black pants.

Anyone with any information on this incident is urged to contact the Bertie County Investigations division at 252-794-5330.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) is also assisting with the investigation.