SALISBURY, N.C. – The SBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting at a Harris Teeter in Salisbury.

• Police say Cody Schimmels tried to rob a Harris Teeter store in Salisbury.
• Schimmels was allegedly holding several employees hostage.
• An officer shot Schimmels after perceiving a threat to one of the hostages.

According to police, 30-year-old Cody Schimmels tried to rob the store in the 800 block of Jake Alexander Boulevard at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. He was holding several employees at gunpoint when officers arrived on the scene.

After working to negotiate with Schimmels for some time, Salisbury police say Schimmels started acting dangerously and pointed the handgun at one of the hostages' heads. 

Sgt. Daniel Lancaster then shot Schimmels, hitting him once with a shot fired from a rifle.

Schimmels was flown to North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem where he was last listed in critical condition.

No one else was injured.

Lancaster has been placed on paid administrative leave which is standard procedure. He has been a member of the department for a little under 10 years and is part of the Special Response Team.  

Harris Teeter Communication Manager Danna Robinson released a statement about the incident:

"We are relieved and grateful that all of our valued associates and one customer involved at the Salisbury Harris Teeter are safe and unharmed. Our associates remained calm and courageous through the ordeal, aiding law enforcement’s response. The entire Harris Teeter family thanks the Salisbury Police, Rowan EMS and other safety personnel for their speedy response to ensure our safety.

"We have support teams available to everyone involved, and we will continue to assist law enforcement in their investigation. We ask for the community’s patience as we work with the proper authorities to re-open the store for business."

Police say four of the hostages were Harris Teeter employees and one was a spouse of one of the employees.

The store will reopen with abbreviated hours Friday.