Homes evacuated in search for man accused of shooting North Carolina deputy, cops say
Homes were evacuated during the search for a man accused of shooting two people, including an Eastern North Carolina sheriff’s deputy, officials say.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office was called to a house Thursday night when the suspect appeared with an “assault-type rifle” and started firing, striking a deputy near the neck, the department said in a Facebook post.
Officials Friday afternoon said they were still looking for the man accused of the shooting in La Grange, a town roughly 70 miles southeast of Raleigh. Deputies believe the suspect is near Lang Skinner Road, prompting them to tell residents overnight to leave their homes, according to the sheriff’s office.
While officers surrounded the area, the suspect on Friday morning repeatedly shot a resident, stole his pickup and left the scene, the sheriff’s department wrote on Facebook. The truck was later found abandoned.
Authorities didn’t identify the resident but said he was in “critical condition.” The deputy, identified as 30-year-old Steven Key, was taken to UNC Lenoir Health Care and later released from the hospital, officials say.
Officials released a photo of the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Robert Lee Strother. Officials as of Friday morning were using a helicopter and drones to search for him and called on the FBI to join their efforts, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook.
Anyone who sees Strother should avoid contact and call 911, according to the post.
Strother as of Friday morning had warrants for attempted first-degree murder, assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill and inflict serious injury, discharging a weapon in an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by felon, according to officials.
Residents who evacuated are urged to stay away from their homes while officials keep a perimeter near Kennedy Home Road, the sheriff’s office said in a Friday afternoon update.
“If residents want to return now, they are returning at their own risk,” Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said. “(Strother) has shown what he will do, as evidenced by his actions this morning. He is still armed and extremely dangerous.”
This story was originally published November 20, 2020 at 11:02 AM.
