Tariq Taylor, 21, of 3840 Wendell Boulevard, was discovered in a barn by a homeowner in the 900 block of Marshburn Road about 10 a.m.

Wendell police Lt. Bobby Langston declined to say how Taylor died. He said the body has been taken to the N.C. Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy.

Police think Taylor was going through a breakup with his partner, Jason Jeffrey, 20, on Wednesday. That led to a confrontation between the two men about 6:30 p.m. at the Food Lion on Wendell Boulevard, where Jeffrey worked.

According to Langston, Jeffrey tried to end the relationship with Taylor earlier in the day, but Taylor did not want the relationship to end.

Langston said there were several witnesses to the argument, which took place in the front of the store, near the office.

Taylor reportedly pulled a 9 mm handgun and started firing. Jeffrey was struck by more than one bullet, and two other Food Lion employees were shot.

Employees Laquanda Beachum, 19, and Shaquita Baker, 22, both of Wendell, were struck by bullets. Police believe a total of eight shots were fired.

Jeffrey underwent surgery at WakeMed on Wednesday night. As of Thursday morning, Jeffrey’s condition had been downgraded to critical. Beachum and Baker were treated and released from WakeMed.

Officers from Wendell, Knightdale and Zebulon responded to the Food Lion at 2837 Wendell Boulevard on Wednesday night, along with deputies and investigators from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and City-County Bureau of Investigation.

The shooting is a rare occurrence in Wendell. It has been seven years since a shooting took place in the town limits. There has not been a murder in Wendell since 2006.