GREENSBORO, North Carolina – An off-duty police officer was tragically killed while intervening in a shop robbery over $83.45 worth of stolen beer. Sergeant Philip Dale Nix saw three suspects robbing a convenience store and was allegedly shot by 18-year-old Jamere Justice Foster. Despite the efforts of another off-duty officer and a paramedic, Nix passed away in the hospital.
Foster has been charged with first-degree murder, misdemeanor larceny, and conspiracy, and is currently being held without bail. Additionally, 28-year-old John Walter Morrison faces charges of misdemeanor larceny, conspiracy, and felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. He, too, is being held without bail. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Zquriah Lepearce Blackwell has been charged with felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
According to the warrant for Blackwell’s arrest, she allegedly helped Foster escape after the shooting and encouraged him to dispose of the gun and the getaway car’s license plate. She also allegedly assisted Foster in selling the stolen goods.
Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson expressed deep sadness over the loss of Sergeant Nix, calling for prayers for the fallen officer’s family and the Greensboro PD family. The mayor of Greensboro, Nancy Vaughan, referred to the shooting as a “senseless act of violence” and expressed a mixture of anger and sadness.
Sergeant Nix, who had 22 years of service to the department, was the supervisor of the Family Victims Unit at the time of his passing. His father and other relatives also served as police officers. The tragic incident has left the Greensboro community in mourning and raised concerns about escalating violence in the area.