The Lenoir County manhunt continues as the armed and dangerous suspect has now evaded authorities for over 24 hours.

30-year-old Robert Lee Strother is accused of shooting a Lenoir County Sheriff’s Deputy who was responding to a domestic call near Lang Skinner Road in La Grange Thursday night.  Strother then allegedly shot a citizen while stealing stealing that victim’s pickup truck.  The deputy was treated and released from UNC Lenoir.  The second victim was hospitalized in critical condition.

Strother has eluded authorities who have set up a perimeter in the Kennedy Road Homes corridor.  Overnight, helicopters with night vision technology, drones and numerous personal continues to sweep the area searching for Strother.  The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office says over two dozen emergency response agencies are assisting in the search for Strother, including the neighboring Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

Strother is considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone with tips on this case is asked to call 252-559-6118.