Two taken into custody after Jones County shooting leaves one hospitalized

Two people were taken into custody after a shooting in Jones County left a man hospitalized with an arm wound, according to Sheriff Matthew Wineman.

Speaking after the search, Wineman said authorities found the suspect in a piece of construction equipment a couple hundred yards behind a residence. A woman believed to be the suspect's girlfriend also was taken into custody, he said.

Wineman said his understanding was that the suspect was the victim's nephew. He said the victim was shot once before the suspect fled.

The sheriff described the wound as non-life-threatening and said authorities believed the victim was in stable condition. However, he said he had not yet spoken with emergency medical personnel or the hospital to confirm the victim's current condition. No other injuries were reported, he said.

Investigators used location information from the suspect's cellphone to help determine that he might be behind the residence, Wineman said. Authorities searched the residence but did not find him inside, then searched outbuildings and vehicles behind two residences.

The suspect was found in equipment at a nearby construction area where new houses and roads were being developed, the sheriff said.

Wineman thanked Sheriff Jackie Rogers, the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office and the New Bern Police Department for assisting with the search. He said an armored vehicle, multiple drones and additional personnel helped authorities locate the suspect quickly.

Lenoir County also brought a police dog. Authorities were preparing to deploy the dog when the suspect was found, Wineman said.

The sheriff said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and that there was no continuing threat to the public. He thanked neighbors for their patience during the response.

Wineman declined to release the suspect's name during the interview and said a news release was expected the following morning. He did not identify the victim or the woman taken into custody, or announce charges in the supplied video.