A Columbus County Sheriff’s Office deputy was shot and injured during an altercation with a suspect in Delco, North Carolina, on the morning of Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The incident began just before 8 a.m. when deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver fled the scene, leading to a pursuit that ended when the suspect lost control of their vehicle, resulting in a motor vehicle crash. Following the crash, the suspect fled on foot. A deputy encountered the suspect, and an altercation ensued during which the deputy sustained a gunshot wound. The suspect then fled the scene again on foot and remains at large. The injured deputy was transported to a hospital and is currently reported to be in stable condition. In response to the ongoing manhunt, seventy-five officers, troopers, and deputies have been deployed to search for the suspect. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office has issued a public safety alert, urging residents in the Delco area to secure their property and vehicles. Residents are asked to report any suspicious activities or individuals immediately. The suspect is considered dangerous and is actively being hunted by law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are seeking the public's assistance in locating the individual. No further details regarding the suspect's identity or physical description have been released at this time. The incident is under active investigation by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.