BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — A Burke County man shot by a SWAT officer during a raid last month is on the run after apparently walking out of the hospital, according to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies are searching for Johnny Allen Kaylor, 50, who is considered armed and dangerous.
[RELATED: Man shot by SWAT officer during no-knock search warrant identified]
Officials told Channel 9 Thursday morning that Kaylor, who was seriously wounded after being shot in the SWAT raid on May 22, left his hospital Monday without a medical release.
The Sheriff’s Office was waiting for Kaylor to be medically cleared for release, so they could take him into custody.
Law enforcement officers have told Channel 9 in the past that they require a deputy being posted at the hospital around the clock for at least two weeks, but that's difficult for smaller counties like Burke.
A SWAT team member shot Kaylor inside a home in Burke County after a nearly 30-minute standoff, where Kaylor allegedly threatened to kill himself and law enforcement officers.
Investigators said they were using a no-knock search warrant because Kaylor was known to have firearms.
The warrant allows officers to enter a home without telling the owner beforehand.
When officers went inside the house, they found Kaylor in a bedroom. Officials said he refused repeated commands to get out of bed and refused to show officers his hands, which were hidden under the sheets.
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“He kept telling officers 'I’m gonna kill you. I’m gonna make you kill me,'" Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant said. "He kept making rapid movements under the sheet. Then finally he made a quick movement with his hands and the SWAT officer shot him.”
Deputies said they seized a handgun beside the bed, pain pills and $27,000 worth of meth from the home.
Channel 9's Dave Faherty went to Kaylor’s home Thursday, but no one answered.
Nextdoor neighbors said they're concerned for their safety after learning Kaylor is not in a jail cell after walking out of Baptist Hospital.
“I can’t believe he just walked out of the hospital." said one neighbor. "They didn’t even release him or anything. And I know he couldn’t have walked from there to here.”
Investigators said they believe he had help leaving the hospital after undergoing surgeries and may be back in the area.
“I think he knows what he’s doing. I think he knows that he is wanted. He realizes that we’re looking for him,” said Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant.
Neighbors said they hope Kaylor turns himself in before another confrontation with authorities.
“I would say Johnny you need to face the music. You’ve done the crime now you need to do the time," said one neighbor.
Kaylor, a felon, was facing felony charges for trafficking opium or heroin, trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.
He was also facing misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Anyone with information about where Kaylor might be should call the Burke County Sheriff’s Office at 828-438-5500 or Crime stoppers at 828-437-3333.
Deputies are warning anyone trying to help Kaylor could face charges as well.