Patrick Crawford Shot: KCEN-TV Meteorologist Shot In Station’s Parking Lot, Police Hunt For Suspect

Patrick Crawford was shot outside the parking lot of the KCEN-TV studio in Texas where he works as a meteorologist, leading police on a manhunt for the heavily armed suspect.

The shooting took place Wednesday morning at the news station located on Interstate 35 in Texas between Waco and Temple, leading to a door to door search for the suspect.

Authorities said they are not sure the reason for the shooting, but noted that Patrick Crawford exchanged words with the suspects shortly before the gunfire erupted. Crawford reportedly made it to his car and escaped, but crashed a short time later on the I-35 frontage road, said DPS Trooper D.L. Wilson.

The meteorologist was rescued by construction workers and rushed to a hospital on Wednesday morning.

Police said the gunman appeared to be in his mid-30s and was balding, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans. The suspect appeared to be armed with a semi-automatic gun, police added.

Authorities believe the suspect fled toward Bruceville-Eddy, but police did not know whether he was on foot or had a vehicle. Not long after the shooting, police surrounded a house in Bruceville-Eddy where they believe the gunman may be hiding, but there is not yet confirmation on the suspect’s location.

Police were seen going home to home on Franklin Avenue in Eddy, but reportedly have not located the suspect yet.

“We have to check every avenue,” said DPS Trooper Harpin Myers.

The shooting of meteorologist Patrick Crawford led authorities to place schools in the Bruceville-Eddy Independent School District on lockdown, the Waco Tribune-Herald reported. A community center was also closed and authorities said they may be closing a stretch of I-35 to traffic during the manhunt.

TxDOT spokeswoman Jodi Wheatley wrote: “This is a very volatile situation and may require police vehicles to preempt normal traffic at any time, so drive carefully and be alert for law enforcement warnings and instructions in the area.”

Patrick Crawford was reportedly shot several times during the attack and was undergoing surgery on Wednesday. His condition was not known.