GREENSBORO, N.C. – A tragic incident unfolded in Colfax, N.C. as a North Carolina police officer, Philip Nix, was shot and killed while attempting to intervene in a robbery at a Sheetz gas station. The officer confronted the suspects, two men and a woman, who were trying to steal $83 worth of beer on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, the situation took a deadly turn as Nix was shot by the suspects and despite the immediate aid provided by another off-duty Greensboro Police officer and a Guilford County Paramedic, Nix succumbed to his injuries.
Following the shooting, the police launched a manhunt and successfully apprehended Jamere Foster, 18, Z’quriah Blackwell, 18, and John Morrison, 28 the next day. Foster, alleged to be the shooter, was charged with first-degree murder, larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny and is being held without bond. Morrison was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny and is also being held without bond. Blackwell was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and is held with a $500,000 bond.
Blackwell allegedly assisted Foster during his attempted escape and told him that “they needed to get out of there because he just killed a cop,” according to an arrest warrant obtained by ABC27. Police stated that Blackwell joined Foster to sell stolen merchandise and talked about destroying evidence, including a gun used in the homicide and a registration plate of the suspects’ vehicle.
The suspects are expected to appear in front of a judge on Tuesday. The tragic loss of Officer Nix has left his family, colleagues, and community in mourning, with Greensboro Police Chief Thompson describing him as a loving husband, father, son, and brother during a news conference following the incident.
This senseless act of violence has led to the arrest of the suspects and left a community in mourning. The tragic loss of Officer Nix serves as a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face on a daily basis while carrying out their duties to protect and serve.