Mannhunt for "extremely dangerous" N.C. inmate after hospital escape

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. --  A jail inmate overpowered a Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy at a hospital and is on the run, officials say.

Law officers continued searching Thursday for 39-year-old Edward Moore of Fayetteville. In a tweet, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office called him “extremely dangerous.”

The sheriff’s office says a deputy was taking Moore to the hospital for requested treatment when he turned on the officer, stole a van and drove off.

Multiple media reports say the shackled inmate wearing an orange jumpsuit managed to take an electric-shock device from the assaulted deputy.

Naloni William told CBS affiliate WNCN she was helping her elderly father from her van into the hospital when Moore stole the van from them.

“I was unloading him, got him in a wheelchair and when I stood up, turned to take him inside the inmate ran out with a weapon pointed at us, yelling, ran around my vehicle and got in and took off,” Williams told the station. “I was wondering what was going to happen to my dad. He’s already sick. That’s my daddy. You know, who’s going to get hurt? What’s gonna happen next?”

The van was found abandoned a short time later, with the officer’s Taser inside, the station reports.

The 39-year-old Moore was in jail to face multiple weapons charges and robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was arrested this week.

Officials are asking asking anyone with information on Moore’s whereabouts to call 911 or the sheriff’s office at (910) 323-1500.