Captain Bobby Martin said, “We’re still in the general area and we’ll be out here when school lets out. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for parents to meet them. My recommendation is for parents to pay attention to their surroundings and notify law enforcement of suspicious people or activity.”

Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Superintendent Dain Butler said, “We have been working with police all day today and have secured our buildings as a precaution.”  

He said since the matter did not happen on any of the district’s campuses “and there is no direct threat to any of our campuses we did not go into a hard lockdown. If that were the case, parents would have been notified by our automated call system. Additionally, we have strengthened our security measures for our dismissal today.”

While police are not ruling any possibility out, Martin said he could not say whether the suspect, who was shot by the homeowner, may have used a vehicle to flee the scene.

The last update on the matter at 10:30 this morning said the man, who was dressed in all black, fled out the back of the victim’s house located in the 500 block of Raleigh Street.

Police have set up a command post at the Aquatic Center next to T.J. Davis.

In the first statement the police department said around 3:30 this morning Halifax Central received a call in which the occupant of the residence reported they had shot at an intruder three times before the suspect ran out the back door.

The police department said in the statement the breaking and entering victim told officers they were awakened by noise, retrieved a firearm and then confronted the suspect.

The occupant discharged the firearm at least three times, striking the suspect at least once.

Residents are asked to report any suspicious activities and secure dwellings by locking doors and windows.

Another update is expected around 5 p.m.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.