Michael Dougherty was shot multiple times inside CVS Blackwood in Gloucester Township on Friday after officers responded to a reported armed robbery. The store and pharmacy shut down while police investigated, and CVS said patients with immediate prescriptions could use any nearby CVS Pharmacy for help.
Prosecutors identified Dougherty as a 65-year-old and said officers were called to the 700 block of College Drive around 4:45 p.m. A nearby customer, Maria Melendez, said she was waiting at the pharmacy counter when the situation unfolded.
Maria Melendez at College Drive
Melendez said she saw a man approach a staff member from behind. She said he kept saying, "I don't know how he got back there. But he immediately started saying, 'I'm not here to hurt anyone. I just want medication. I'm in a lot of pain. I'm suffering from cancer,'"
She also said, "Once I was on the phone with my husband I heard the gunshot and I'm like, 'Oh my God honey, there was a gunshot,' and he just said, 'Get out of there, get out of there.' And I just started screaming. Once I got into the car I just had a panic attack and I don't know how I got home,"
Prosecutors on Dougherty
Prosecutors said Dougherty pointed a firearm at the officer, who took cover and ordered him to drop the weapon. They said he advanced instead, and the officer fired, striking him multiple times. Police recovered two firearms, including one handgun next to Dougherty and another on his person.
Dougherty was charged with Armed Robbery, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Aggravated Assault by Pointing a Firearm at Law Enforcement. He remained hospitalized as of Friday night.
CVS Blackwood closure
CVS said it was cooperating with police as they investigated a shooting at its College Drive store in Blackwood. The company said no customers, patients or colleagues were hurt and said the store and pharmacy were closed while police were on scene. Employees said they were told the location would remain closed through the weekend.
