Local News

Wounded Policeman in Good Condition

Posted Updated
William Earl Lawson
KENANSVILLE — Police are still searching for the manthey say shot a Kenansville police officer. The officer's condition hasbeen upgraded to good, but authorities fear the gunman won't hesitate touse his weapon again.

Officer Wade Feimster was shot by a motorist at a drug checkpoint inMagnolia Thursday night. Police say a man in a Bronco tried to avoid thecheckpoint, crashed the vehicle, then shot Feimster in the abdomen andfled into a wooded area.

Six different local agencies continue to search for 23-year-old WilliamEarl Lawson who has been wanted on several drug-related charges sincelast April. Police say they are not sure it was Lawson who shot Feimster,but they do need to talk to him.

Duplin County Sheriff George Garner says it had been rumored Lawson wasin the area.

Police say they believe the crashed Bronco belongs to Lawson's father.They say Lawson is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Sheriff Garner says anyone with information on Lawson's whereaboutsshould call the Duplin County Sheriff's Office at 910-296-2150.

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.