Blue Alert: Off-Duty Police Sergeant Fatally Shot at North Carolina Gas Station, Three Suspects in Custody

Off-Duty Greensboro Police Sergeant Fatally Shot; Three Suspects in Custody

In a shocking incident that unfolded on a Saturday evening, Greensboro Police Department Sergeant Phillip Dale Nix lost his life after being shot at a Sheetz convenience store and gas station. The off-duty sergeant had approached suspects after allegedly witnessing them commit a crime.

Around 4 p.m. on that fateful day, Sgt. Nix was at the Sheetz gas station when he attempted to intervene with the suspects. Immediately, another off-duty police officer and a paramedic at the scene rushed to provide aid. Despite their efforts, Sgt. Nix was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The three suspects charged in connection with this tragic incident are Jamere Justice Foster, 18, Z’quriah Le’Pearce Blackwell, 18, and John Walter Morrison, 28.

Although the exact nature of the crime witnessed by Sgt. Nix has not been disclosed by the Greensboro Police Department (GPD), warrants obtained by local FOX affiliate WGHP-TV suggest that Foster is accused of stealing more than $83 worth of beer.

Sgt. Nix served the city of Greensboro for an impressive 23 years. Described as a “loving husband, father, son, and brother,” he held the position of supervisor of the Family Victims Unit and was the assistant team leader of the GPD Honor Guard. In a Facebook post, the GPD requested privacy for the family during this difficult time and mentioned that information about donations to the family would be shared on social media in the coming days.

The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, and authorities have hinted at the possibility of additional charges. The loss of Sgt. Nix has left the community mourning, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting have raised questions about the safety of law enforcement officers, even when off duty.

The Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson provided details in a briefing, stating that Sgt. Nix “witnessed a crime occur” and attempted to approach the suspects, leading to the fatal shooting. Two off-duty first responders were on the scene and provided immediate treatment to Sgt. Nix before he was transported to the hospital, where he later passed away from his injuries.

As the community grapples with the loss of a dedicated officer, the legal proceedings against the three suspects will be closely watched. Foster faces charges of first-degree murder, larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny, with no bond.

Blackwell is charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, held on a $500,000 bond, and Morrison faces charges of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny, held without bond.

The tragic shooting serves as a stark reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face, even in off-duty situations, and sparks conversations about ensuring the safety and security of those who dedicate their lives to protecting their communities.