LIVE OAK, Fla. — The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office has enlisted help in its search for the suspect in a shooting Tuesday night at the Live Oak Busy Bee.

Sheriff Sam St. John said Thursday that the U.S. Marshals Service had been called in to help the SCSO in its search for Leonard Otis Cooks Jr.

St. John said authorities are continuing to follow any leads on Cooks’ whereabouts, but so far the search has not turned up the 29-year-old Cooks.

According to the SCSO, the suspect shot his ex-girlfriend twice in the chest with an unknown caliber revolver Tuesday night. The woman was life-flighted to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where she remains in critical condition.

St. John said the victim underwent surgery Tuesday night and was scheduled to have had a second one Wednesday.

Cooks, who was arrested twice in the span of a week in late November and early December for aggravated battery including holding the victim against her will, kidnapped the woman from her residence earlier Tuesday evening, according to the SCSO.

The woman, who had an active injunction against the suspect, tried to escape from the suspect while at the Busy Bee near the Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 129 junction, SCSO said.

According to the SCSO, the suspect then chased the woman through the parking lot while shooting at her and striking her in the chest.

The suspect fled the scene in an unknown make, dark-colored SUV, SCSO said.

The SCSCO advises the public to not approach the suspect if they see him as he is considered armed and dangerous.

For anyone who may have information on Cooks’ whereabouts, they may call 911 or 386-362-2222. They can remain anonymous.

Cooks currently has active warrants for attempted murder, kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm and violation of injunction.