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It was a little after 3 p.m. when police were called about shots fired in the parking lot of Lowe’s home improvement on Burkemont Avenue in Morganton, said Assistant Chief Keith Bowman with the Â鶹´«Ã½ Department of Public Safety.

Officers found out a customer shot at a vehicle driven by a shoplifting suspect from Lowe’s, Bowman said. The suspect reportedly took tools from the hardware store.

He said it appeared the customer was trying to stop the shoplifter from leaving the store. There was no altercation or argument between the customer and the shoplifter before shots were fired, Bowman said.

The person who fired the shots remained on scene to talk to police, Bowman said. The shoplifting suspect got away.

Investigators will consult with the district attorney’s office to determine whether charges should be issued against the man who fired the gun, Bowman said.

“Don’t shoot into vehicles over some property, or any reason, for that matter,� Bowman said. “You’re talking about human life versus some tools or whatever. Let the authorities handle that.�

Police still are searching for the shoplifting suspect, who was last seen driving an older model black Honda Pilot, Bowman said. He said police do not believe anyone was hit by gunfire, but police have checked with area hospitals to find out if any gunshot victims came in for treatment.

“Even though he may have been shooting to dismantle the vehicle, it could’ve easily hit someone, a bystander in the parking lot or someone in that vehicle,� Bowman said.

Bowman encouraged people not to let their emotions about something take over.

“Regardless if it is Lowe’s or any other business, (the business) will not be answering for the actions you take,� Bowman said.

Anyone with information on the incident should call Investigator Gabryszewski at 828-509-3685.