HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — Authorities are searching for a suspect accused of holding a woman against her will and repeatedly assaulting her in Henry County, according to Sheriff Wayne Davis.

Around 9 a.m. on April 5, deputies were called to the Circle K convenience store on Virginia Avenue in reference to a woman requesting to report a domestic incident.

The victim told authorities that on April 4 her boyfriend, who she had been living with for eight months, committed multiple acts of violence, including physical assault, strangulation, and non-consensual sexual acts at two campers on Goffin Drive.

She further advised that her boyfriend threatened her life and used a firearm during the incident to intimidate and control her.

Deputies established probable cause and obtained warrants to executed a search of the campers.

Authorities identified the suspect as Christopher Thomas Shepard, a 35-year-old white man from Graham, North Carolina.

Sheriff Davis told rbs news now at the scene that Shepard is believed to be a registered gang member and armed with a handgun.

“We believe he could have either been picked up from this area or he could have left on foot,” Davis said. “However, we’re still here searching this area to ensure that we don’t locate him anywhere here in the Collinsville area.”

According to the sheriff, Shepard was last believed to be wearing white Nike tennis shoes and blue jeans when the woman escaped Sunday morning.

Authorities have obtained seven warrants against Shepard, including felony rape, felony object sexual penetration, felony strangulation, felony abduction, misdemeanor domestic assault and battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm while in the commission of a felony.

Davis also said Shepard is wanted out of North Carolina for a probation violation tied to an underlying felony assault by strangulation charge.

Davis praised the response from deputies who left Easter gatherings to respond to the call.

“The men and women of the sheriff’s office simply in dedication to this community and ensuring it stays safe, they got up and left Easter service, time away from their families, to come here to take this individual into custody and be sure he’s brought to justice and our community is kept safe,” Davis said.

The Fieldale Volunteer Fire Department and the Henry County Department of Public Safety also responded to the scene.

Anyone who sees Shepard or knows his whereabouts is asked not to approach him and instead contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 276-63-CRIME.

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