Shootout outside Caldwell County convenience store leaves 18-year-old dead

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Cedrick Harshaw, 18, was shot and killed Tuesday at a convenience store in the Sawmills area of Caldwell County. The shooting happened at the Market Basket along Highway 321-A.

According to the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an incident at another business on Monday. They said an employee of Bolick’s Tire reported being threatened with a gun Monday morning after asking someone to leave the property.

The Market Basket shooting A man was shot to death Tuesday at a convenience store in the Sawmills area in Caldwell County, officials said.

The employee told deputies the person who threatened him was approaching several customers, asking them for money and transportation.

On Tuesday, a second Bolick’s employee said he saw Harshaw walk into the Market Basket, and he matched the description of the person who made the threat the day before. According to the police report, several Bolick’s Tire employees went into the Market Basket to confront Harshaw, resulting in a fight.

Witnesses said that when those people were all asked to leave, Harshaw went to the parking lot, got a gun and fired multiple times.

A Bolick’s Tire employee who was not involved in the fight was hit during the gunfire.

A separate Bolick’s employee had a gun with him and also fired one round, which hit Harshaw. Both gunshot wound victims were taken to a hospital, but Harshaw died.

Harshaw’s mother, Dawn Davenport, said her son got into a fight at the convenience store and there was a shootout.

“I love my son,” Davenport said. “He was just 18 years old.”

Davenport said she and her two sons were there to get gas. They said three strangers walked up to them inside the store.

“The guy just went in and said, ‘We got a problem with you,’” said Zonquarius Pierce, the victim’s brother. “And he was like, ‘What’s the problem?’ And all of sudden I’m holding my brother back. I was like, ‘Just ignore this. Just ignore this because you didn’t do anything.’”

“He was just 18 years old”
Cedrick Harshaw’s mother was with him when he was shot and killed after a fight at Sawmills gas station. There was an exchange of gunfire. The mother said she tried defend her son. She said the Caldwell County SO took one of the men away. pic.twitter.com/EhaW6FR78w
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) January 5, 2021

Pierce said the men beat his younger brother with tools. The clerk made everyone leave the store.

Davenport said her son had a gun, and there was an exchange of gunfire in the parking lot. She said someone knocked the gun out of her son’s hand and shot him.

“I tried to jump on him and tried to get them off of him, and he just kept shooting him and I’m so sad,” Davenport said.

Davenport said the man kept shooting Harshaw, who fell to the ground.

>> Remember, you can watch our radar/newscasts anytime at home on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV

Pierce said the shooter stayed at the scene and waved down the ambulance as it arrived.

“There is no reason to this,” Pierce said. “No reason at all.”

Davenport said Caldwell County sheriff’s deputies took one of the three men away. She believes her son was targeted and the shooter should face a murder charge.

The district attorney’s office is reviewing the evidence and circumstances of this case.

Return to this story for updates.