Trooper says he was just doing his job

A N.C. State Highway Patrol trooper honored Tuesday for heroism during a March shooting incident at a Jacksonville Wal-Mart said he was just doing his job.

State Trooper Chris Matos responded immediately to a call on his cruiser's radio saying there was an active shooter situation at the Yopp Road Wal-Mart on March 23.

Wal-Mart's doors had only been open a few months when police say an on-the-clock employee used a shotgun to turn colleagues into hostages.

Matos said he arrived at the store the same time as two Jacksonville Police Department narcotics officers.

"We entered the store and began to evacuate employees and customers aisle by aisle," he said. "We learned the suspect was in the break room and headed that way."

Authorities say 18-year-old Elijah Payne smuggled a sawed-off Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun into the store inside a tent bag. He is accused of going into the bathroom, blackening his face with camo paint and shooting up the walls inside the employee break room.

Another employee wrestled the shotgun away from Payne just as Matos and the other officers entered the break area and arrested Payne, authorities said.

"This is still a pending court matter," said Lt. Everett Clendenin, a spokesman for the State Highway Patrol. "We do not want to go into any further detail at this time."

The case is scheduled to be presented to a grand jury on Aug. 12, Chief Assistant District Attorney Ernie Lee said.

The Jacksonville Police Department has charged Payne with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, kidnapping and discharging a firearm into occupied property, according to arrest warrants. He has been held in the Onslow County Jail on a $75,000 bond since his arrest.

Matos said he was honored by the award but that there were several law enforcement officers more deserving than he.

"I just did what I am supposed to do," Matos told The Daily News.

But the Highway Patrol's top trooper said Matos "went above and beyond the normal call of duty on this occasion in an attempt to possibly save others."

"This level of service exemplifies what it means to be a State Trooper - to serve others," said Col. Walter J. Wilson, Jr., commander of the Highway Patrol.

Wal-Mart is appreciative toward Matos and the other law enforcement officers involved, said Wal-Mart Spokeswoman Ashley Hardie.

"We are very grateful to law enforcement for their continuing partnership and the manner in which they protect and serve our customers and associates," she said.

Bryan E. Beatty, secretary of the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, presented Matos with the Heroism Award during a ceremony Tuesday at the Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center in Fayetteville.

"Trooper Matos' actions made a difference on March 23rd when he assisted in the apprehension of an armed suspect firing shots in a local store in Jacksonville," said Beatty. "He is to be commended for his actions."

The Heroism Award is the Highway Patrol's highest award for heroism, awarded to those who risk their lives to help others.

Contact crime reporter Lindell Kay at lkay@freedomenc.com or 910-554-8534. Read Lindell's blog at http://onslowcrime.encblogs.com.