The man who was shot is still in critical condition, Chivvis said. As a matter of policy, police are not releasing his name. He was considered being airlifted to a trauma center Thursday, but as of Friday, he remains at Sovah Health-Danville.

Police received a call Thursday at approximately 3:45 p.m. for a shooting at the Dollar General. When they arrived, they found a white male with a gunshot wound to the lower half of his body, Chivvis said. The man appeared to have been shot once.

Investigators canvassed the area of South Boston Road later that day for witnesses and surveillance footage. They also checked phone records and cellular tower signals.

The shooting was unusual, Chivvis said, because of its location. Danville does not see many shootings in crowded, public places.

Thanks to the people in the Dollar General, Chivvis said, police were able to get a description of the vehicle the suspect left the scene in.

“After the shooting witnesses came out, they found the victim, they called 911 and the victim was provided some initial care at the scene,” Chivvis said. “Our citizens did a great job yesterday.”

James Whitlow reports for the Danville Register & Bee. Contact him at jwhitlow@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7983.