In a shocking incident at a Missouri convenience store, a clerk was gravely wounded after being caught in the crossfire of a heated confrontation. The altercation escalated when an irate customer, embroiled in a verbal spat, resorted to violence, firing 17 shots at the clerk, police reported.

The dramatic events unfolded just after 8:30 p.m. on November 18 at the Phillips 66 Xpress Mart located on Prospect Avenue in Kansas City. Law enforcement officers arrived to find 41-year-old Craig Washington lying on the store floor, critically injured with multiple gunshot wounds affecting his face, forearms, torso, and back.

Authorities examined surveillance footage from the store, revealing the sequence of events that led to the shooting. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Adrian Stallings, entered the store intending to purchase alcohol. The situation spiraled out of control when Stallings perceived that others in the store were mocking him over insufficient funds.

Confronting the perceived slight, Stallings allegedly questioned, “What are you laughing for? You laughing? I said, ‘Are you laughing, though?’” His agitation quickly turned to threats, as he reportedly warned one individual, “I’ll smack the s— out of you.”

Stallings allegedly threatened to fight one of the people inside the store, saying “I’ll smack the s— out of you.”

The argument escalated and Washington tried to keep the two parties separated. That’s when Stallings allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Washington, who fell to the ground. Washington tried to crawl away and pulled out a gun but dropped it. Stallings picked up the other gun and allegedly stood over Washington, who was “struggling to move” and fired a second volley of shots.

Stallings allegedly fired yet another round of shots and said “he’s a b—. Get the f— up.” The suspect reportedly fled in a dark-colored Chevrolet sedan.

Investigators recovered 17 shell casings at the scene and cops arrested Stallings a couple days after the shooting. He’s facing charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and felon in possession of a firearm.

Washington’s mother, Kimberly Johnson, told local NBC affiliate KSHB that her son worked at the store for several years and was well-known by customers. She said she was always worried about the violence occurring near the store.

“I would always tell him, ‘Be safe at work today,’” she said in an interview with the TV station. “Over the years he’s worked there, so much has happened on that one block…so many murders, so much tragedy.”

Johnson said she doesn’t understand why someone would kill her son.

“I can’t believe we have people walking around that angry,” she said. “How could you do that to another human being?”

Stallings remains in the Jackson County Jail without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 30.