DOBSON — The suspect in a shooting in the Flat Rock community Thursday night is still on the loose, and he is armed and dangerous, according to local law enforcement officials.

Byron Green, 32, of 141 Eleanor Ave., Mount Airy, was still recovering from a single gunshot wound to the left hip Friday at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, according to Surry County Sheriff Graham Atkinson.

Officers with the sheriff’s office and other law enforcement agencies are on the lookout for the suspect in the shooting, Oliver Coleman King, 25, of the Flat Rock community.

Atkinson said King allegedly drove by Green’s house on Eleanor Avenue Thursday evening, and then came back to Green’s house a few minutes later.

“He stopped, got out of the car and there was an altercation,” Atkinson said.

Apparently, the two men argued back and forth for several minutes. “Green threw a rock at King,” Atkinson said. “Then King (allegedly) pulls out a semi-automatic handgun and fires at least one round, hitting Green in his left side just below the waist line.”

King retreated to his red 2006 Dodge Charger, which features chrome rims, and allegedly drove off in the direction of East Pine Street, Atkinson reported.

Emergency crews from Surry County EMS and Four Way Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the shooting along with deputies from the sheriff’s office at 8:30 p.m.

Warrants have been issued for King on three felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury and attempted first-degree murder. He has been entered into the National Crime Information Center, which is a national database of wanted persons, and will be featured in Sunday’s edition of Most Wanted in The News if he is still at large, Atkinson said.

“It appears the motive may be an ongoing dispute that involves Green and his girlfriend,” Atkinson said.

While emergency officials reported Thursday night that Green may have suffered some paralysis from the shooting, Lt. Randy Simpson said Friday afternoon that he was told Green is not paralyzed.

Atkinson asked if anyone knows the whereabouts of King to contact the Surry County Sheriff’s Office at 401-8900 or Crime Stoppers at 786-4000. He asked that people not attempt to approach King since he is thought to be armed and dangerous.

Contact Wendy Byerly Wood at wbyerly-wood@mtairynews.com or 719-1923.