ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - The College of The Albemarle was evacuated Wednesday as Elizabeth City Police searched for a wanted subject that is possibly nearby the school.
School officials announced on Facebook that the police department would be evacuating students and staff at the school. Police also directed traffic and buses off the property. All evening classes were canceled on COA's Elizabeth City campus.
Caprie Anthony Paige
The Elizabeth City Police Department responded to the Travelers Inn located at 1211 North Road Street, which is across the street from the campus, in reference to information on a wanted subject.
Police arrived shortly after the call. The suspect is 22-year-old Caprie Anthony Paige, who was wanted in connection with a shooting on Edge Street in Elizabeth City on September 2.
Paige is wanted for Assault with a Deadly Weapon with the Intent to Kill, Shooting Into an Occupied Vehicle and Damage to Person Property. He is considered armed and dangerous.
According to police, Paige was last seen wearing a gray short sleeve t-shirt and red pants.
A spokesperson with Elizabeth City State University, which is assisting with the search, told News 3 that once temperatures drop, drones capable of detecting thermal energy will be deployed to search the wooded area.
Authorities suspended the search for Paige Wednesday night and are setting up a soft perimeter around the woods.
The lockdown for the school was reported around 12 p.m. School officials posted on Facebook saying that students should refrain from coming onto campus until an all clear message is released.
The college said its Elizabeth City campus will return to its normal operating hours on Thursday.
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center lifted its lockdown for patients and staff at 9 p.m. Staff and visitors should still use the Emergency Department Main Entrance to enter the hospital until 5 a.m. Thursday.
Thursday, the Perquimans County Sheriff's Office said they received a tip through the Pasquotank Crime Line in reference to a possible location for Paige, which is just outside Winfall city limits. As a precaution, Perquimans Central and Middle Schools were put on a modified lockdown so the tip could be investigated.
After further investigation, authorities determined that the tip lacked merit, so the lockdown was lifted and the schools returned to normal operations. They are asking those in the area to keep an eye on their surroundings and for possible sightings of Paige.
This is an active investigation with the Elizabeth City Police Department. Anyone with information pertaining to this case should contact the Elizabeth City Police Department at (252)-335-4321 or the Crime Line at (252)-335-5555. All information received will remain anonymous and strictly confidential.
This story will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
