Officials: Gastonia officer shoots man after QuikTrip clerk...

GASTONIA, N.C. — A convenience store clerk told Channel 9 about the moment when he thought he was going to die inside his own store.

Ryan Sherwood said a familiar face walked into the QuikTrip convenience store on East Long Avenue in Gastonia Saturday night.

Brady Hines pulled out a knife and without saying a word began stabbing Sherwood repeatedly in his arms, hands and chest.

Sherwood, who served in the Army for years, immediately fought back.

"[I] kind of scrambled away as he's still trying to stab me repeatedly. He was charging like a bull," said Sherwood.

Gastonia police said Detective Jeff Wooten was off duty and inside the store getting a cup of coffee when the attack happened.

Police said Wooten attempted to pull the attacker away and then shot him when he did not stop.

"The officer came right in at the perfect time. Without him, my family would be without a father, a husband," said Sherwood.

Hines was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was previously convicted of second-degree murder. Hines murdered his mother at her home in Weaverville and then drove her body to Wake County in the trunk of his car.

Police placed Wooten in paid administrative leave until the State Bureau of Investigation concludes an investigation.

A Gastonia Police Department detective was involved in a shooting at the QuikTrip at 310 E. Long Ave. Saturday night.

According to investigators, Detective Jeff Wooten was inside the QuikTrip around 10:25 pm when he saw Brady Alan Hines, 46, stab store clerk Ryan Sherwood, 32, multiple times.

A press release states that Wooten, who was in full police uniform, pulled Hines away from Sherwood. Hines was still armed with a knife and Wooten ended up shooting Hines.

Hines was taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center with potentially life threatening injuries before being taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Sherwood was transported to CaroMont Regional with serious injuries, but was treated and released.

"Unfortunately it was a horrible situation and we are extremely appreciative on the quick and decisive action of the police officer," said Mike Thornbrugh, manager of public and government affairs for QuikTrip. "Anything they need for their investigation; we're cooperating and assisting anyway we can with them."

Police are still investigating, but say there was no previous altercation that caused Hines to stab Sherwood.

The State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing surveillance video as part of their investigation. The SBI will present their findings to the Gaston County District Attorney's Office.

The Gastonia Police Department's office of professional standards is conducting an administrative investigation.

As part of the department's standard protocol in an officer-involved shooting, Wooten is on paid administrative leave while the administrative investigation is conducted.

Wooten, 51, a veteran detective with the Gastonia Police Department, employed with the agency since July 1988. He is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit.