Suspect in hospital shooting at large

DUNN -- Police were searching for a suspect in a shooting that led to the lockdown of Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital Saturday night and left a hospital employee in critical condition.

Police said Azucena Diaz, 28, of Autryville was shot multiple times in an employee parking lot at the hospital in Harnett County. She was taken by helicopter to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Police were searching for the victim's estranged husband, Joaquin Rangel Ramirez, 31.

An Amber Alert was issued for the couple's two daughters -- 1-year-old Brianna and 2-year-old Maren -- but cancelled after they were found safe early this morning, authorities said.

The girls were believed to have been abducted by Ramirez. But authorities would not say today where they were found, saying that they did not want to jeopardize the ongoing search for Ramirez.

Ramirez is 5-foot-6, 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. At the time of the shooting he was wearing a blue and yellow jacket, police said. Police think he is armed and dangerous.

He was seen leaving the scene on a white SUV, possibly a 2002 Cadillac Escalade with North Carolina tags VZT-9795.

The father has made threats to harm himself and the children, police said.

Investigators asked anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ramirez or the children to contact the Dunn Police Department at 910-892-2399, 910-892-2345 or their local law enforcement agency.