Neuse News Correspondent Kristy Bock contributed to this report.

Friday, Nov 20 - 8:50 pm

Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said that as daylight has faded to night, the manhunt continues for Robert Lee Strother.

The search continues inside the perimeter that has been established along the Kennedy Home Road corridor from Snake Road to Lang Skinner Road.

That search is being aided by night vision technology from several agencies, including the State Highway Patrol, Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Craven County Sheriff’s Office and the SBI.

“We are truly appreciative of all these agencies that are helping us find Mr. Strother,” Ingram said.

Friday, Nov 20 - 12:30 pm

Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said the search for Robert Lee Strother is in the “maintaining the perimeter” stage of the operation.

That perimeter is along the Kennedy Home Road corridor; to the north, Snake Road and to the south, Lang Skinner Road.

The man who was shot by Strother in the theft of the red 2003 Dodge Dakota at 6:44 a.m., Friday, is in critical condition, according to Sheriff Ingram. Officials do not want to identify him or the hospital in which he is located at this time.

Those who have been evacuated from Lang Skinner Road overnight are encouraged to stay away from their homes until Strother has been apprehended.

“If residents want to return now, they are returning at their own risk,” Ingram said. “(Strother) has shown what he will do, as evidenced by his actions this morning. He is still armed and extremely dangerous.”

Friday, Nov 20 - 11:10 am

The red Dodge Dakota has been located in a woodline in the Kennedy Home Road area, but there is no sign of Strother.

Also, drones are being used in the search.

The shooting of the driver of the Dodge Dakota occurred near Lang Skinner Road.

Friday, Nov 20 - 8:45 am

Inside the perimeter set by law enforcement, at approximately 6:44 a.m., Strother shot a Lenoir County resident multiple times and stole his red 2003 Dodge Dakota extended cab pickup truck with N.C. license plate BAP-2430. He appeared to be headed north on a dirt path toward the power lines in the Kennedy Home Road area after the shooting.

A State Highway Patrol helicopter is currently being used to locate Strother. Additionally, the FBI and SBI have been called in to assist in the search.

The condition of this morning’s shooting victim is unknown at this time; he was taken to an undisclosed hospital.

Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram asked county residents to safely be on the lookout for Strother.

“(Strother) is armed and extremely dangerous,” Ingram said. “Do not approach him or the truck if you see either. Call 911 immediately if you see him or the truck.”

Friday, Nov 20 - 6:45 am

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect in Thursday night’s shooting: Robert Lee Strother, 30. He’s 6-foot-1, 187 pounds and a white male.

He has four felony warrants sworn against him from last night's shooting:

• Attempted first-degree murder

• Assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill and inflict serious injury

• Discharging a weapon in an occupied dwelling

• Possession of firearm by felon

Officials state there will be additional charges brought against Strother.

Within the past couple of hours, it has been determined Strother is not in the mobile home or outbuilding at 2544 Lang Skinner Road after law enforcement officials searched both. However, two people — a man and a woman — were arrested on unrelated charges after being found in the outbuilding.

While Strother was not in the mobile home or outbuilding at 2544 Lang Skinner Road, Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram is confident the suspect is within the parameter that has been set up around the area.

“We think we have him contained,” the sheriff said. “As daylight comes on, we’ll have a better idea.”

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Mobile Command Center is now at the North Lenoir Fire Department No. 3 station, 2553 Kennedy Home Rd, La Grange.

In addition to the LCSO, the Kinston Police Department, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the State Highway Patrol and the Craven County Sheriff’s Office other agencies that are aiding in the search include Lenoir County EMS and Lenoir County Emergency Services.

Friday, Nov 20 - 2:50 am

The deputy who was shot Thursday night has been identified by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office; it’s 30-year-old Steven Key, a K-9 officer with the LCSO. He was treated and released from UNC Lenoir Health Care near midnight and, according to Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram, has headed home for the night.

The standoff continues at the residence at 2544 Lang Skinner Road and the sheriff confirmed this is not a hostage situation; the suspect who shot Deputy Key is by himself, or potentially with a dog.

Friday, Nov 20 - 12:49 am

More information has been released about the shooting of a Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office deputy Thursday evening. While the LCSO is not yet releasing the name of the deputy, Lenoir County Public Information Officer Bryan Hanks was able to confirm that the deputy has been treated and released from UNC Lenoir Healthcare after suffering a gunshot wound in the line of duty. 

Hanks said the deputy was responding to a domestic call at 2544 Lang Skinner Rd. The still unidentified suspect was in the yard of the residence with his back to the deputy when the deputy pulled up. When the deputy approached to speak with the suspect, Hanks said, the suspect fired at the deputy with what Sheriff Ronnie Ingram described as an “assault type rifle,” striking the deputy. 

After being hit, Hanks said, the deputy retreated behind his vehicle and called for backup. That call came in at 8:53 p.m. 

As of approximately 12:20 a.m., the suspect was believed to be located either within the mobile home at 2544 Lang Skinner Rd. or in an outbuilding on the property, with law enforcement pinning him in. 

Other residents of Lang Skinner Road were being evacuated from the area. Those without another place to go were being accommodated at the North Lenoir Volunteer Fire Station Number 3 on Kennedy Home Road. 

Sheriff Ronnie Ingram shared his gratitude for the outpouring of well-wishes for the injured deputy. 

“We’re thankful to all the other agencies that have assisted in this incident. We’re also thankful to the residents of Lenoir County for all their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” Ingram said.

Thursday, Nov 19 - 11:13 pm

A clarification: The incident occurred at a residence at 2544 Lang Skinner Road, which is in the vicinity of Kennedy Home Road.

Five agencies — the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, the Kinston Police Department, the N.C. State Highway Patrol, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Craven County Sheriff’s Office — are responding to this event.

Thursday, Nov 19 - 11:23 pm



Thursday, Nov 19 - 11:20 pm

Thursday, Nov 19 - 10:30 pm

“A Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been shot while responding to a domestic call on Kennedy Home Road. The deputy has been evacuated to an undisclosed hospital. His condition at the moment is unknown. The suspected shooter has not been apprehended.” - Bryan Hanks, Lenoir County Public Information Officer

Thursday, Nov 19 - 10:11 pm

“Officer condition unknown” according to Bryan Hanks, Lenoir County Public Information Officer. There is a multi-agency search for the assailant including LCSO, KPD.

Thursday, Nov 19 - 9:53 pm

A Lenoir County Deputy was involved in a shooting tonight in La Grange.

“A deputy was responding to a domestic call and was shot in the line of duty,” said Bryan Hanks, Lenoir County Public Information Officer.

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