SALISBURY — A Davidson woman who was found dead this weekend inside a vehicle driven to a local convenience store was involved in illegal drug sales, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities identified the victim as Lakyn Jade Bailey, 25, of 368 Northwest Drive, Davidson. Investigators said that about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, the vehicle was driven to the Country Cupboard store, at 2010 Statesville Blvd., by a friend of Bailey’s.

Bailey had been shot at a location off Woodleaf Road. A friend drove her to the store in his car in an attempt to get help. The friend remained at the scene, investigators said.

Authorities said Bailey, who would have turned 26 on Monday, had been staying at a motel in Statesville.

On the morning of the murder, Bailey traveled from Statesville to Rowan County.

Rowan detectives went to Statesville to investigate leads along with the Statesville Police Department.

During the initial investigation, officers with the Salisbury Police Department determined that the shooting probably occurred outside the city limits and contacted the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. Rowan Detectives and agents of the State Bureau of Investigation were called to the scene to investigate.