The town of Collettsville, North Carolina is the type of rural area where everyone knows one another and people visit to relax and unwind.
One of the local businesses, Betsey’s Old Country Store, is a fixture in the town where people gather and get their necessary supplies.
Anyone who visits the store gets to know the owner’s dog, Rocky, who hangs out both inside and sometimes on the front porch.
Source: WBTV
People loved seeing the handsome Rottweiler as he greeted customers and looked for pats on the head. His owner, Erica Penley, was inside the store recently when a surveillance camera captured an unknown van drive up.
To Erica, it appeared as if the man was about to rob the store. Rocky must have sensed something was wrong as he left the front porch to investigate.
Three gunshots were heard in succession, and poor Rocky is seen running and crying toward the porch for help.
Source: @WBTVCamMan/Twitter
“And it was almost like he said, ‘Mama come on and help me,’” Erica said. “He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know what pain is. He probably didn’t understand what was going on. He probably didn’t understand he’d been shot.”
The evil gunman drove off, but it was too late for Rocky. He succumbed to the gunshots and died on the porch. Thanks to the community, the monster who shot Rocky was later apprehended.
Police arrested 35-year-old Josh Hawley, who later confessed to killing Rocky. For Rocky’s mom, she is understandably devastated.
Source: WBTV
“Rocky was not barking, Rocky was not showing teeth,” Penley shared. “Rocky was coming around the store as he always did to greet customers.”
We extend our deepest condolences to Eric and everyone who loved Rocky. May he rest in peace, and may his assailant be punished with the maximum penalty!
H/T: WBTV
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