After a nine-day manhunt, authorities have apprehended a Virginia man in connection with a shooting at a Knightdale sports bar that occurred in late May, resulting in serious injury to one individual. Ray Shawn Austin, 39, of Petersburg, was arrested without incident at a friend's home in Holly Springs, as reported by CBS17. Austin is facing multiple felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by felon.
The incident unfolded before 2 a.m. on May 25 at the Sports Page Bar & Grill on North Smithfield Road, where a 32-year-old man was found shot in the parking lot. Knightdale officers responding to a fight at the bar reported hearing gunshots upon arrival at the scene. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, remains hospitalized in stable condition. "Prompting a nine-day manhunt by law enforcement," Austin managed to elude capture until his recent arrest, CBS17 stated.
The collaborative efforts between the Knightdale Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the Wake County Sheriff's Office were highlighted in the arrest. "I want to publicly acknowledge the dedication and teamwork of our Criminal Investigation Unit," Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps was quoted by ABC11. Chief Capps further expressed appreciation for the support these agencies provided in the case.
Currently, Austin is being held at the Wake County Detention Center. Court records show the suspect is scheduled for his first appearance in court today, with no bond set as of yet. This story was also documented by WRAL, which described the stringent search efforts concluding with Austin's arrest.
