Caldwell County, NC – A manhunt is underway for a driver who opened fire on a Caldwell County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop on Sunday night.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m., when the deputy initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a blue Toyota sedan on Cheraw Road near Pisgah Church Road near the town of Lenoir, WTVD reported.

The details of what transpired during the stop were unclear, but culminated when the unnamed deputy was shot below his ballistic vest.

The deputy, a one-year veteran of the department, was taken to Carolinas Medical Center by air ambulance.

He was taken in for emergency surgery and was listed in stable condition on Monday morning, according to WBTV.

The suspect sped away from the scene and has not been located, WSOC reported.

The motive for the shooting was unknown.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations is assisting the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office with the ongoing investigation.

The area where the shooting occurred was described as a heavily wooded, rural section of the county, WJZY reported.

The nearest residence was a couple of miles away.

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