Holly MatkinWise County, TX – A manhunt is underway for the suspect who shot a Rhome police officer during a traffic stop on Sunday night.
Police have identified the alleged gunman as 43-year-old Royce Wood, WFAA reported.
Wood stands approximately six feet, two inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds, according to KTVT.
He has green eyes, a full beard, and a bald head, police said.
Wood was last seen wearing a baseball cap with a camouflaged bandana tied around it, as well as a green shirt, a vest, shorts, and a pair of sunglasses, WFAA reported.
A Blue Alert has been issued.
Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said Wood is also a suspect in a home invasion that took place on Saturday, WFAA reported.
Rhome Police Department (RPD) officers and Wise County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies received a tip on Sunday that Wood was in the area riding on a motorcycle with a female passenger, Sheriff Akin said.
RPD officers spotted him near Highway 287 and tried to stop him, at which point Wood jumped off of his motorcycle and took off running, according to the sheriff.
When officers pursued him on foot, Wood opened fire on them, hitting one of the officers in the lower leg, Sheriff Akin said.
The shooter escaped into the woods and remained on the loose early Monday morning, WFAA reported.
Sheriff Akin urged anyone living in the area of FM 407 and Highway 287 to keep their doors locked.
The woman who had been riding the motorcycle with Wood was taken into custody.
The wounded officer was rushed to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, KXAS reported.
He is expected to recover.
“We’re exceedingly fortunate,” Sheriff Akin said, according to WFAA. “We’re very happy that the officer’s doing well. We feel pretty good about his condition.”
#NEW: A Rhome police officer is doing well after being shot tonight while running after a suspect who ran from traffic stop and was wanted in home invasion
Police still searching for suspected shooter Royce Wood and asking people near Hwy 287/FM 407 to keep doors locked
(@wfaa) pic.twitter.com/J7oE82DtT4— William Joy (@WilliamJoy) June 14, 2021
BLUE ALERT!!! Wise County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Royce Wood, who is suspected of shooting a Rhome Police Officer. Wood is 6’2”, 200 lbs. The officer was shot in the lower leg and is expected to survive. pic.twitter.com/VeVnF5u15J
— Colleyville Police (@ColleyvillePD) June 14, 2021
The overnight search continues for a motorcyclist who shot and wounded a Rhome Tx Police Officer. A large perimeter setup around Wise County. The officer is ok as the manhunt continues. Watch WFAA Ch8 starting @430 AM pic.twitter.com/cVEAXwq6N8
— Mike Forbes (@mikeforbeswfaa) June 14, 2021
ACTIVE BLUE ALERT for Royce Wood from Rhome, Wise County, TX, on 06/13/2021. pic.twitter.com/pPyKnqNYE5
— Texas Alerts (@TX_Alerts) June 14, 2021
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Sandy Malone
