FIRST ON 3: Assault leaves Bladen County landlord in critical condition; suspect wanted

CLARKTON, NC (WWAY) — An argument between a landlord and tenant ended with one person in the hospital and another on the run.

Around 10:15 Saturday morning, 71-year old Robert Allen Gooden went to 209 W. Hester Street in Clarkton. 23-year-old Shawn Faulk was there. Gooden had previously evicted Faulk from a home a few doors down.

Deputies say Gooden and Faulk began arguing and that’s when Faulk began hitting Gooden in the face with his fists. A witness pulled Faulk off.

EMS took Gooden to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.

A felony warrant for Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury has been issued for Faulk.

If anyone knows where Faulk is, they are asked to call the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 862-8141.