Off-duty Greensboro cop shot, killed during attempt to prevent armed robbery at North Carolina Sheetz

Authorities have tracked down and arrested three people in connection with the shooting death of an off-duty police officer in a town near Greensboro, North Carolina. Sergeant Philip Dale Nix was killed on Saturday while attempting to stop the group from carrying out a crime at a local Sheetz gas station.

The suspects, 18-year-olds Jamere Justice Foster and Z'Quirah Le'Pearce Blackwell and 28-year-old John Walter Morrison, were subsequently hit with a slew of charges.

According to ABC11, Foster was charged with first degree murder, while Blackwell and Morrison were charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Foster and Morrison were also charged with larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny. The pair are currently being held without bond, while Blackwell had his set at $500,000.

The incident took place shortly after 4 pm on Saturday evening at the Sheetz on 3202 Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax, about 18 miles northwest of Greensboro.

When Nix realized that a crime was in progress, he jumped into action and confronted the group, at which point he was fatally shot. Another off-duty officer and a paramedic from the county tried to revive him before he was rushed to the hospital, but despite all their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.

Nix was identified as the victim on Sunday, and before long tributes began pouring in.

"He was a father and husband with 22 years of service to his community," Rep. Jeff Jackson said in a statement on X. "Every effort must and will be made to bring those responsible to justice." 

"To the family of the fallen officer and his colleagues at [Greensboro Police]," he added, "you have our deepest sympathy. This is a devastating tragedy and your loss is felt across our entire state."

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper echoed Jackson's sentiments, offering his prayers to those impacted by the tragic event.