8:00AM UPDATE: Three suspects were taken into custody overnight including John David Jones who is charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury for the shooting of Trooper Harrell. Harrell is listed in stable condition at Vidant Hospital in Greenville.
ELM CITY – A state trooper was shot during a traffic stop late Monday.
At approximately 5:15pm the trooper conducted a traffic stop on Hanes Rd in Wilson County.
Trooper D. C. Harrell, a five-year veteran assigned to Wilson County, sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries. He was rushed to a Vidant Hospital in Greenville for treatment.
A massive manhunt was underway involving numerous local and state agencies for the suspect, John David Jones, 36, who is considered to be armed and dangerous.
Residents in the area of Hanes Road near Elm City are encouraged to contact 911 if they see any suspicious activity.
“This needless assault provides another reminder of the perils law enforcement officers face each day”, said Colonel Glenn McNeill Jr, commander of the State Highway Patrol. “I would ask everyone to keep Trooper Harrell’s family and our entire organization in their thoughts and prayers.”
