MERRY HILL, N.C. (WAVY) — One person has died and two others were injured and airlifted to a hospital after a shooting on Highway 45 North in Merry Hill Tuesday night.
The shooting investigation has been taking place in the 700 block of Highway 45 North. The Bertie County Sheriff’s Office had asked the public to avoid traveling in the area late Tuesday night, but said the incident “is contained.”
The shooting happened a little before 9 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 45, according to the sheriff’s office.
“I did call 911 and told them shots,” one neighbor said. “I heard shots, and he was on the ground over there, so then I came, and then the ambulance came.”
Neighbors were watching in disbelief as first responders tried to perform lifesaving measures.
“And one of the officers was doing compressions on [someone],” a neighbor said. “I figured he was gone. I saw one on the ground. The other guy was kind of holding him.”
Witnesses said it all unfolded outside a small, rural convenience store — the woman working inside told 10 On Your Side a man had walked in to buy a few items, but as soon as he stepped back out, she heard several gunshots.
With her toddler beside her, she ran to the back of the store and hid, too scared to come out until police arrived. She said off camera she was scared for her own life.
“That’s bothersome. Yeah, it was bothersome. I know it happens in other places too, but you know, when it’s in your front yard, it’s kind of, …” neighbor Jerry Lee said, his voice trailing off.
Deputies said they are still reviewing evidence and speaking with witnesses, and they won’t release more details until they know exactly what happened. No arrests have been made. Police confirmed with 10 On Your Side Thursday morning that 25-year-old Tahj Bazemore is the person who died as a result of the shooting.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations is assisting with the investigation, deputies said.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
