A Roanoke Rapids man will be charged with first-degree burglary following a breaking and entering this morning where the homeowner shot him.
The homeowner shot Wade Carter, 54, with a handgun.
According to the report the homeowner was 88-years-old. Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty declined to release the gender of the victim per his policy.
Carter, of Roanoke Rapids, fled the victim’s house in the 500 block of Raleigh Street after he was shot in the upper extremities. It is believed he fled the residence on a bicycle, Hasty said this evening.
Authorities from several law enforcement and correctional departments assisted Roanoke Rapids in a day-long search for the man.
Around 4:15 this afternoon the police department received information a person was at the hospital with a possible gunshot wound.
Investigators spoke with the man who at the time was being treated. He was taken into custody and will be served a warrant for first-degree burglary once he is cleared from medical treatment.
Hasty said this evening it wasn’t clear whether Carter, who has a previous criminal record, was familiar with the victim.
The elderly homeowner, who was awakened by a noise during the break-in, retrieved a firearm and fired multiple shots, striking Carter at least once.
Carter, who wore all black except for white gloves, fled through a backdoor and police believe he made his getaway on a bicycle.
In a statement Hasty praised the numerous agencies which assisted during the search for the man — the Halifax and Nash sheriff’s offices; the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and state Department of Public Safety Prison Emergency Response Team.
Aiding the department in support and resources were Halifax County Emergency Management, Halifax County EMS, Roanoke Rapids Public Works and the city’s recreation and planning and development departments. “When the call went out for assistance to each of the agencies they responded quickly and brought resources with them that aided in the operation.“
Hasty said the Nixle Emergency Alert System and the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District’s notification system was used “for the first time to try to share as much information as we could today. This is the first time we have used this type of mass notification on an incident.”
Local businesses, Little Caesars, Oscars and citizens provided law enforcement with meals and hydration during the operation. “It was a total team effort from everyone during this effort and things worked out for the greater good.”
Hasty said the police department “stayed in constant contact with the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District to make sure the students were safe while at school.”
Of the homeowner, Hasty said, “The homeowner was defending their home and protecting their life during this invasion into the privacy of their home."