Staff Writer

Roy Faulkner’s work day ended in violence Wednesday night.

The Pike County man who owns Huk-A-Buk was leaving the barbecue restaurant on U.S. 231 at Pike County Road 17 with his wife when he was shot by an unknown assailant.

Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas said between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Wednesday the last customer left and Faulkner was "turning off the lights to close for the evening" when two black males wearing masks entered the restaurant.

"They demanded cash and took the cash bag which contained an undisclosed amount of money," Thomas said. "They also took the female’s purse and demanded keys to the vehicles parked outside."

It was at that point, Thomas said, Faulkner was shot and transported by Hayne’s Ambulance to Edge Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition Thursday afternoon.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family," Thomas said.

The sheriff said "several rounds were fired in the store," but would not comment as to how many times Faulkner was shot.

"We are following some leads," Thomas said, adding anyone who might have seen suspicious activity in the Mt. Moriah area should contact the authorities.

Tips can remain anonymous, he said.

Officers from the Troy Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office and Alabama State Troopers also responded to the call Wednesday night.

The case is still under investigation by the sheriff’s department and the Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes representatives from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the sheriff’s department at 566-4337 or any other law enforcement agency.