After calling off search operations earlier in the afternoon over a wide perimeter, the Polk County Police and Georgia State Patrol helicopter moved to a night operation in an attempt to locate Jimmy Brian Blackmon during a fifth day of searching for the murder suspect.

Blackmon, 50, was last seen in the backyard of his home earlier today by his son according to Dodd. His son had gone home to collect some clothing from the house at 118 Rice Road, then saw his father in the yard who waved, then fled into the woods.

Find previous coverage of this afternoon’s search here.

After contacting police, an initial search during the day that included a precautionary lockdown of the Rockmart High School and Rockmart Middle School campuses concluded around 4:30 p.m. and police loosened their operations for a few hours.

Dodd said the hope is to locate Blackmon in the wooded area around Rice Road utilizing the GSP helicopter’s infrared capabilities with a FLIR camera, which would be more effective with cooler temperatures at night flying over the tree canopy.

Blackmon remains at large and is wanted for the murder of his wife Ginger Blackmon on Sunday evening, and is considered armed and dangerous. He is a 5-foot-8 white male, who weighs 190 pounds with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Prior to today’s sighting, Blackmon was last believed to be in the area of Highway 101 and Pleasant Valley Road in Floyd County.

Those with additional information about his whereabouts are encouraged to contact 911 immediately.