The search for the person who shot Roanoke Rapids Police Officer John Taylor Wednesday afternoon continues, Chief Jeff Hinton said.

Taylor, a member of the department’s Advanced Criminal Enforcement unit, was shot multiple times after stopping a vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 95 at the 172 mile marker.

Taylor was transported to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville where Hinton reported he is doing fine.

It wasn’t until after the shooting that officers learned the suspect vehicle, which was located at Halifax Academy, was stolen.

The shooting occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. as Taylor was working the interstate within the city limits. The shooting will not curtail traffic enforcement and drug interdiction efforts by the police department on the interstate, Hinton said this morning.

An intensive search is ongoing in the area around the school, which is closed today, and areas of the interstate around the 168 and 171 mile markers and Highway 48, Hinton said. “We’ve got multiple agencies, choppers and dogs.”

One person believed to be a suspect, Herman Joseph Piuma, was ruled out and was cleared.

Authorities are still looking for a 6 feet, 200 pound white male with a short half inch buzz cut, roughly shaven and last seen wearing a light colored shirt, jeans and a black Carhartt jacket with hood.

The female suspect is white with mid-length light brown hair with highlights, last seen wearing a short sleeve black shirt with a possible Harley-Davidson design on front and a black ski vest.

If located do not approach, contact the Halifax County E911 Center via 911 or 252-583-1991.