Children Ask Father to Surrender in Mother's Slaying

Linda Shaw Thomas, 47, was stabbed 21 times early Monday after someone broke into her home east of Raeford, authorities said. Thomas called 911 during the attack.

Allen Thomas Sr., 51, her former husband, is being sought in the slaying.

The couple had been divorced for 10 years, and Linda Thomas took out a restraining order against her ex-husband last July to keep him from entering her home, authorities said.

Allen Thomas Jr., 21, and Comecya Thomas, 20, held a news conference Tuesday afternoon at which they made a public plea for their father to surrender.

Comecya Thomas, a student at Fayetteville State University, also said she still loved her father and wanted him to give up peacefully and quietly.

"I just want him to know that I love him and i love his family, no matter what, and I'll always love his family," she said.

Neither of the Thomas children were at their mother's house at the time of the attack. But two foster children, girls ages 15 and 17, were there and were awakened by Linda Thomas' screams, authorities said.

The foster children, who weren't injured, are staying with Linda Thomas' relatives.

A couple of people have reported seeing Allen Thomas Sr. in Hoke County, Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said. Investigators have expanded their search to surrounding counties, but they said they believe he is still in the Raeford area.

Peterkin said it's possible that Thomas could be staying with friends or relatives.

Allen Thomas Jr. said some people have harassed his grandparents since the slaying.

"This is a tough time as it is. Please leave my grandparents alone. If they knew where he was, they would tell us," he said.