Staff report

SALISBURY — The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident in the Spencer area after several motorists reported a bleeding man walking down the road, Rowan County Telecommunications said.

According to Mike McDaniel, shift supervisor with telecommunications, at about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, Rowan County 911 received two or three calls about a white male walking in the 1800 block of Old Union Church Road. Unconfirmed reports have stated that the man was “covered in blood.”

In a press release, the Sheriff’s Office reports that the reports said the man appeared to be bloody and “without pants.”

He has been identified as Johnny Leonard, 52, of West Franklin Street. According to deputies, Leonard suffered from multiple gunshot wounds but was able to communicate to EMS and investigators.

He was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, according to Rowan County telecommunications.

The investigation is still active, but Leonard told deputies that he met with a suspect, whom deputies did not name, near the Food Lion in Spencer on Monday evening. Some time after meeting with Leonard, the suspect robbed him of his wallet and his 2006 green Subaru.

Investigators have identified a person of interest in this investigation.

Leonard’s vehicle has damage to the back bumper and has a state license plate of DJV2253. The vehicle has been entered into NCIC as a stolen vehicle, and but has yet to be located.

Anyone with information in this case should call Lt. Chad Moose at 704-216-8687 or Detective Carl Dangerfield at 704-216-8683. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous or possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 at http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.