GARYSBURG –Northampton County law enforcement officials are searching for a man who went missing near here last week.

Shawn Cornelius Alston, 39, of the Warner Bridge Road area near the Virginia state line was last seen leaving a friend’s house on Oct. 18. He was reported as missing the next day by his mother.

According to Northampton County Sheriff’s Det. Lt. Brenda Burnette, Alston stands five feet, seven inches tall and weighs between 190 and 210 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki colored cargo shorts and a black shirt. Alston suffers from asthma.

Burnette said Alston was visiting a friend’s house on the evening of Oct. 18.

“He left at approximately 11:30 p.m. to walk home,” she said. “The friend’s home was within walking distance from his own home. No one has seen him since.”

The North Carolina Highway Patrol has searched the wooded area near where Alston went missing.

Burnette said Alston has been entered into a law enforcement database as a missing person and a “be on the look out” has also been issued.Virginialaw enforcement authorities have also been contacted.

“As of right now we do not suspect foul play,” she said.

Initial response to the call was by Deputy William James. Detective Sgt. Corey Williams is the lead investigator on the case and Burnette is assisting.

Burnette said the family is offering a reward of an undisclosed amount for information that leads to locating Alston.

Those who have information regarding Alston’s whereabouts are asked to call the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 534-2611 or the Northampton County Crime Stoppers line at (252) 534-1110.