JACKSON – An alleged child murderer is in jail.

Robert Lee Vincent Sr. was arrested outside of Emporia, Virginia in the early morning hours of Sunday. Vincent Sr. was being sought in connection with the murder of an 11-year-old boy Thursday night near Gaston.

The child was shot after an exchange between two men about apparent erratic driving about 9 p.m. on Thursday.

According to Northampton County Sheriff Wardie Vincent, his officers had information that led them to the Emporia area as a likely place to find the suspect.

After coordinating with the Emporia Police Department and Greensville County (Va.) Sheriff’s Office, the search of that area began in earnest Saturday evening.

The suspect’s vehicle was found near an abandoned home in Emporia, but Vincent Sr. was not at the location.

Officers then proceeded to a housing complex near Emporia where they learned the suspect had been, but left earlier in the evening.

&uot;Between 2:30 and 3 a.m., he was spotted walking near the area in which the apartments are located,&uot; Sheriff Vincent said. &uot;He was pursued, but tried to allude officers on foot. He was captured after a brief chase.&uot;

Vincent Sr. made his first appearance in court Monday morning and waived extradition to North Carolina. Upon returning to Jackson Monday afternoon, he was arraigned on a first degree murder charge.

The suspect was given a court-appointed attorney and placed under no bond at the Northampton County Jail.

&uot;We appreciate the assistance we received from the Emporia Police Department, Greensville County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Patrol,&uot; Sheriff Vincent said. &uot;I am also proud of the hard work done by my officers in gathering information and following up on it.

&uot;This is a tragic situation, but at least we were able to bring Robert Lee Vincent in without further violence,&uot; the sheriff closed.