A manhunt is currently underway in Craven County, N.C., after an inmate escaped from the Craven County Jail on Sunday afternoon. Authorities say John Nigh, who escaped at 4 p.m., is accused of shooting at three deputies during an incident last summer. His escape has left local residents on edge.
Valerie Best, a longtime Craven County resident, expressed her concern, saying, “I’ve been here 10 to 12 years. I’ve never seen or heard about anything like this happening here.”
Nigh is accused of firing at Onslow County deputies during an attempted arrest last summer. Jail officials report that his escape was facilitated by two cellmates, who helped him remove ceiling grating, gain access to a utility ceiling chase, and exit the facility through ventilation housing. To cover for Nigh, the cellmates reportedly stuffed his mattress to make it appear as though he was still in his cell.
Best, unaware of Nigh’s escape until informed by WITN, called for better communication from law enforcement during such situations. “I think it’s something our department needs to take into consideration,” she said. “For the safety of the community, we need to be informed so we can watch out for each other and stay safe.”
She also suggested implementing alert systems for incidents like this. “We have Amber Alerts for missing children or senior citizens. There should be alerts when someone escapes from a facility like this,” she added.
Authorities have classified Nigh as dangerous, and the Craven County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the escape. The community remains on high alert as the search for him continues.
Attempts to contact both the Craven County and Onslow County Sheriff’s Offices for further comment were unsuccessful, as officials were unavailable to speak with WITN.
