In a tragic turn of events in Kansas City, Missouri, a convenience store clerk found himself at the center of a deadly altercation, resulting in him being shot 17 times. The incident unfolded on the evening of November 18, at the Phillips 66 Xpress Mart located on Prospect Avenue, when a verbal disagreement escalated into violence, as reported by local police.

According to the probable cause arrest affidavit, authorities responded to the scene and discovered Craig Washington, 41, lying on the store floor with multiple gunshot wounds to his face, forearms, torso, and back. Washington had attempted to intervene in a heated exchange between customers, hoping to defuse the situation.

Surveillance footage from the store revealed the sequence of events leading to the tragedy. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Adrian Stallings, had entered the convenience store intending to purchase alcohol. His plans were thwarted when he mistakenly believed someone was mocking him for not having enough money. Feeling slighted, Stallings reportedly confronted the individuals he thought were laughing at him, demanding, “What are you laughing for? You laughing? I said, ‘Are you laughing, though?’”

Tensions escalated quickly, with Stallings allegedly threatening, “I’ll smack the s— out of you.” In an effort to prevent the situation from spiraling further, Washington stepped in to separate the parties involved. However, Stallings, in a fit of rage, allegedly drew a firearm and began shooting Washington, who collapsed to the floor.

Despite his injuries, Washington attempted to crawl away and retrieve his own firearm, but it slipped from his grasp. Stallings reportedly seized this weapon and, in a chilling act, stood over the incapacitated Washington and unleashed a second barrage of gunfire.

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.