UPDATE:  Police call off search for gunman

A gunman is still on the loose in North Charleston after he fired shots at a police officer and fled the scene.

The shooting happened on Dobson Street Wednesday afternoon.

Police blocked off surrounding roads for several hours searching for the gunman,  but did not find him.
   
North Charleston Police say the officer approached a man that looked suspicious in the Charleston Farms neighborhood near Remount Road.

The man fled on foot, but when the officer pulled out his taser, the man fired two shots at the officer.

The officer was not hurt.

Neighbors say it’s hard to feel totally secure, knowing the gunman is still out there.

“If he’s not afraid to shoot a cop, he’s not afraid to shoot me. He’s not afraid to shoot you. It’s sad but I would like this person caught before I can feel safe again in my home,” said Jodi Belt who waited two hours for police to open up the roads for residents to return home.

“Anytime you have someone armed with a weapon we consider them a danger and that’s why want to definitely get that person off the streets and in custody,” said police spokesman Spencer Pryor.

The shooting caused several problems for students riding the bus home in the area and forced the school district to place nearby Dunston Elementary on lockdown.

The district says several students had to go back to area schools because busses couldn’t drop them off at their homes near the area of the shooting.

Eventually the students were relocated to Dunston Elementary until a parent or guardian could pick them up.

The gunman is described as a five-foot eight black man with dark skin.  He has a tear-drop tattoo on his face.  At the time of the shooting he was wearing a white shirt with blue jeans.

If you have any information, please Crimestoppers at 554-1111.

Police plan to increase patrols in the area.

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