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Man accused in Youngsville shooting, abduction has violent past

The man accused of shooting a woman and then taking his 1-year-old daughter has a violent past, according to court documents.

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YOUNGSVILLE, N.C. — The man accused of shooting a woman and then taking his 1-year-old daughter has a violent past, according to court documents.

Devon Anthony Whaley, 24, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and violating a court order in connection to a series of events that happened Friday night in Youngsville, according to authorities.

Youngsville police said Whaley, of 250 Pine Ridge in Louisburg, shot Desiree Hopkins around 7:30 p.m. Friday in the area of Hidden Lane in Youngsville, then fled the scene in a white 2000 Pontiac with the child, prompting a statewide Amber Alert.

The child, Desaree Hopkins, was later found safe with relatives.

According to court documents, Hopkins has been violent with Desiree Hopkins in the past. In a domestic violence order, Hopkins said Whaley kidnapped her at knife point when she was five months pregnant.

In November, Whaley was charged with violating the domestic violence order. According to an arrest warrant, Whaley grabbed Hopkins by the hair, hit her and busted her lip.

Whaley was being held at the Franklin County jail Monday under a $870,000 bond. On Tuesday, he was served with an additional warrant for first-degree kidnapping and an additional $250,000 was added to his bond.

At last check, authorities said Hopkins had shown improvements but was listed in critical condition at WakeMed Hospital.

Officials said Desaree Hopkins is now staying with her grandmother.

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