Authorities in Pamlico County, North Carolina said a man was shot on Thursday after he entered Mack’s Mini Mart on Broad Street in Oriental, NC and, in an apparent rage, attempted to assault two store employees.

One of the employees called 9-1-1 and told dispatch that “someone was trying to kill him”. Moments later, dispatch received a second call, this time reporting that a store clerk grabbed a gun and shot the intruder, identified as Desmond Syrill Bryant, after he entered the store and attacked the clerk. The caller said Bryant fled the store on foot after he was shot.

Deputies found that Bryant had fled to a nearby residence, where he was located and found to have what appeared to be two gunshot wounds, one to the arm and one to the upper chest.  He was taken by Pamlico County EMS and transferred to East Care, where he was flown to Vidant Medical Center.  He’s currently listed in serious condition.

Witnesses told deputies that Bryant came into the store after banging on the front door several times.  He then entered the store in an apparent rage and attempted to assault the two store employees. One of those employees retrieved a handgun from behind the counter and fired one shot, striking Bryant.

Police records show Bryant has previously been convicted of felony manufacturing of schedule VI drugs, driving while impaired, misdemeanor breaking and entering, larceny, possession of stolen goods, possession of a firearm by felon, damage to property, hit and run, and assault with a deadly weapon.

A habitual felon, Bryant has served time from 1995 to just one week before this incident when he was released from prison on May 6, 2016. He is currently on parole for a separate crime.