Police in Concord identified the two people fatally shot at a soda bottling plant about 25 miles north of Charlotte.
Concord deputy police chief Guy Smith said Donna Barnhardt, 59, and Darrell Noles, 44, were killed Friday morning at the Sun-drop Bottling Co.
Authorities continued to hunt late Friday afternoon for the gunman.
Smith said the shooter walked into the plant's office around 10 a.m. during what they believe was a robbery. He said two employees who did not hear the gunshots later found the victims' bodies and called 911.
Smith said Barnhardt had worked at the company for 18 years. Noles was not an employee; a family member said he was there to apply for a part-time job.
Concord Police Deputy Chief Guy Smith said officers used a helicopter and police dogs in the hunt for the shooter, who was seen running away from the plant carrying a box.
"We have 25 to 30 investigators who are following every lead," Smith said. "When someone is carrying a box from the scene, you want to talk to them."
Sun-drop Bottling manufactures soft drinks and spring water at the plant about 25 miles north of Charlotte.