Triangle residents woke up Friday to a double jolt of law enforcement drama: a homicide manhunt unfolding in Orange County and a separate incident at a Garner gas station that sent a Wake County deputy to the hospital. By evening, both scenes were still active as deputies and state troopers pushed out alerts, collected evidence and tried to reassure a community watching it all unfold in real time.
Authorities say the stabbing suspect should be considered armed and dangerous, while the injured deputy’s condition is believed to be non life threatening.
Hillsborough manhunt after fatal stabbing
Deputies say 53 year old Matthew Jared Vukmer is accused of stabbing 54 year old Paula Floyd to death Friday morning at his home in the Wyngate community, and that investigators have obtained a first degree murder charge, according to ABC11. Deputies told ABC11 that Vukmer left the scene and may be driving a dark Ford Super Duty pickup, adding that he should be treated as armed and dangerous.
Sheriff releases photo, asks public for tips
Sheriff Charles Blackwood publicly urged residents to keep an eye out and expressed sympathy for those who knew Floyd, saying, “I offer my deepest condolences to Ms. Floyd’s family and friends,” in a statement reported by WRAL.
WRAL also published a photo released by deputies and a description of Vukmer as a white man about 5 feet 11 with no facial hair. Anyone with information is asked to call the Orange County tip line at 919 245 2905.
Garner deputy hospitalized after arrest attempt
Hours later and roughly 30 miles away, a trespassing complaint at a Sheetz on Jones Sausage Road in Garner turned violent when a deputy was hit by a car, according to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and reporting from ABC11. The deputy was taken to a hospital, and the department said the injuries were believed to be non life threatening…