TARBORO – Edgecombe County authorities arrested three teenagers in connection with a string of crimes at a Princeville convenience store that ultimately led to a shootout and the store owner's murder Thursday night.

One teen, who was wounded in the shootout, was charged with the man's murder; another was charged with having the gun purportedly used in the shooting; and a third was charged with burglarizing the store twice in the last month, authorities charge.

(ENLARGE)

DONEYELL LORENZO ALLEN

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WILLIAM EARL ALLEN JR.

"These gentlemen are tied together," Edgecombe County Sheriff James Knight said. "But how the whole puzzle fits together, we don't know yet."

Ahmad M. Nimer, 61, owner of Wings N Things on N.C. 33, was shot and killed Thursday night during an apparent robbery attempt at the store, Knight said.

The store, which was previously called Exum's Grocery, recently reopened under the new name, the sheriff said.

"Gunfire was exchanged in the business, and (one of the suspects) has a bullet wound in his shoulder," Knight said.

William Earl Allen Jr., 18, of Tarboro was taken to Heritage Hospital for treatment. He is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Nimer, and he's being held under no bond.

Detectives also found a small amount of cocaine in his possession when he was arrested, and he was charged with drug possession, as well.

His brother – Kendrick Donta Everette, 16, of Tarboro – was charged with two counts of breaking and entering and larceny stemming from separate burglaries at the store, one on Oct. 24 and the second on Nov. 8.

He was jailed under a $100,000 bond.

A third suspect – Donyell Lorenzo Allen, 18, of Tarboro – was charged with possession of a stolen firearm and jailed under a $10,000 bond. Investigators charge that Donyell Allen, who isn't related to the suspected shooter, had a .22-caliber pistol with him when he was arrested – the same gun believed to have been used in the murder.

The shooting occurred sometime shortly before 7:30 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.

Nimer was in the back room of the store, preparing his dinner, when he heard the front door of the store open, Knight said.

When he walked out of the kitchen area, he saw at least one person at the cash register, the sheriff said.

"Shots were exchanged – at least four shots were fired inside the store, and we believe more shots were fired," Knight said. "It looks like (Nimer) was shot inside the store and followed them outside."

Nimer was shot in the upper torso and hand, Knight added.

Minutes after the shooting, customers pulled into the parking lot and discovered Nimer, who had collapsed just outside the door, the sheriff said.

His gun was found in the doorway.

Nimer died later Thursday night at Heritage Hospital.

Knight said the three suspects had dealings with Nimer in the past, including William Allen, who was asked to leave the store a week before the shooting.

"At first, he refused to leave," the sheriff said. "When he did, he made verbal threats as he left."

After the shooting, investigators first tied Everette to the recent break-ins at the store, Knight said, and that led them to the suspected shooter and the gun.

Investigators said they believe a fourth suspect might have been involved.

In the past few months, William Allen also has been charged with resisting arrest, breaking and entering, larceny and underage drinking.

He was convicted in 2005 of carrying a concealed weapon, and he was sentenced to probation.