Two officers hurt, schools locked down after multiple incidents in Hertford

Two police officers suffered non-life threatening injuries, multiple Perquimans County schools were on lockdown Wednesday afternoon and a suspect is still being sought after a pair of incidents in Hertford.

According to a news release from Perqiumans County Emergency Services, 911 received a call around 12:30 p.m. reporting gunshots fired in the Stokes Drive and King Street area of Hertford.

The Hertford Police Department and Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the report, and both Perquimans County High School and Hertford Grammar School were placed on a modified lockdown.

While officers were able to obtain a description, they were not able to apprehend the suspect.

At 1:23 p.m., Perquimans 911 received a call about a fight near an apartment complex on Stokes Drive. One person fled into the wooded area between the apartment and Perquimans County High School.

That prompted Perquimans County High School to be placed on full lockdown, which remained in place into the afternoon. All on campus, after school activities were called off for the day.

Buses were held at all four Perquimans County Schools until 4:20 p.m., while students were allowed to leave campus if they were picked up by family members.

Officers pursued the suspect between the apartment complex, Jimmy Hunter Drive, King Street and Dobbs Street. During that pursuit, two officers were hurt.

They were transported by Perquimans EMS to Vidant Chowan Hospital for treatment.

Travis Searcy
Multiple warrants have been obtained for Travis Bryce Searcy. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the Hertford Police Department at 252-426-5751.

“At this time it is unclear if Searcy was involved in the shots fired call, however additional warrants for his arrest have been issued,” the Perquimans Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook late Wednesday.

Also responding to the incidents were N.C. Wildlife Law Enforcement, N.C. Highway Patrol, N.C. Parole and Probation officers and Perquimans Emergency Management.

Perquimans County Schools announced they will operate on a normal schedule on Thursday, and there will be increased law enforcement presence on the campuses.

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Sam Walker was news director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, Big 94.5 WCMS and Z 92.3 from August 2011 to March 2022.