Authorities in Washington County, North Carolina Searching for Armed and Dangerous Suspect After Roper Store Shooting

ROPER, N.C. — Authorities are searching for a suspect after a man was shot Tuesday outside a convenience store in Roper, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded on March 3 to the Roper Food Mart located on N.C. Highway 32 North after receiving reports of a shooting. When deputies arrived, they secured the scene and located 43-year-old Lakentric Sanders of Roper bleeding just inside the entrance of the store.

Deputies provided medical assistance until emergency medical services arrived. Sanders was then transported for treatment.

Investigators said witness interviews and surveillance video indicate that 39-year-old Steven Hill shot Sanders three times at close range with a handgun following a verbal altercation outside the store.

Authorities say Hill should be considered armed and dangerous. Officials stated he has connections to Washington County and nearby areas and is also wanted on several felony warrants related to guns and drugs issued by other jurisdictions in North Carolina.

Hill is additionally wanted in Washington County on an outstanding warrant for attempted murder.

Anyone with information regarding Hill’s location is encouraged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 252-793-4141.

Source: Sheriff’s office identifies Steven Hill as suspect in Roper store shooting, WCTI 12 News, March 5, 2026.

Injured in a Shooting at or Near a Convenience Store in North Carolina? You May Have Questions About Negligent Security or Premises Liability

Georgia Victims – Convenience stores and small retail locations, such as the Roper Food Mart in Washington County, North Carolina, are places where customers, employees, and local residents regularly gather. Visitors reasonably expect these businesses to maintain a safe environment when entering the store, making purchases, or walking through the property.

When a shooting or violent incident occurs at or near a retail business, important safety questions may arise, including:

• Were appropriate security measures in place at the time of the incident?
• Was on-site security present and properly positioned?
• Were surveillance systems operational and monitored?
• Had prior criminal activity been reported at or near the property?
• Were store employees trained on how to respond to violent situations?
• Were emergency response procedures followed appropriately?

In situations involving violent crime at commercial properties, injured individuals and their families may explore whether negligent security or premises liability factors contributed to the harm.

Were you recently injured in a shooting, violent crime, or harmed due to someone’s negligence? Have questions, need support, or want to speak with someone about your rights as a victim? Contact The Warlick Firm today. We offer legal assistance, if desired, and represent clients on a contingency agreement—meaning no fees are owed unless we recover for you.

A shooting at a convenience store or retail property can be traumatic, leaving victims, customers, and families uncertain about what to do next. Incidents involving gun violence may raise questions about whether reasonable safety measures were in place, and injured individuals may have rights under negligent security or premises liability laws.

A shooting at or near a convenience store can be a traumatic event, leaving victims, witnesses, and families unsure of their next steps. Incidents involving gun violence may also raise questions about whether appropriate safety measures were in place and whether injured individuals may have rights under negligent security or premises liability laws.

Under North Carolina premises liability law, property owners and businesses have a duty to exercise reasonable care to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors. This duty can include taking reasonable precautions to protect visitors from foreseeable dangers, which in some situations may include criminal acts by third parties.

Were you recently injured in a shooting, violent crime, or harmed due to someone’s negligence? Have questions, need support, or want to speak with someone about your rights as a victim? Contact us today. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.  We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover.  

When safety failures occur, the impact can be permanent. Read more about how Georgia Victims supports survivors and families across Georgia in the pursuit of justice after violent incidents. Violence at transit stations can leave lasting physical and emotional harm. Read more about the East Point MARTA station shooting that injured three people and what it may mean for negligent security or premises liability claims.

Image source: Sheriff’s office identifies Steven Hill as suspect in Roper store shooting