Convicted felon on the run in Washington after 4-year-old is shot

An "armed and dangerous" felon is on the run in Washington state, accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend's 4-year-old son. 

Suspect Trevor Braymiller, 25, was present Sunday morning when the child was shot and killed in Sedro Woolley, in an incident that medical examiners determined was not the result of a self-inflicted wound, reports the Associated Press.

Braymiller fled the scene on foot after the boy was shot, and police recovered the weapon used in the shooting near the crime scene, according to King5 News. Authorities are now treating the case as a homicide. 

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Authorities are worried that Braymiller, who has a long history of law-breaking, will "force a confrontation with us in an emotional state," according to Lt Lin Tucker, speaking with King5 reporters. 

"He's been in the area for quite some time," said Sedro Woolley police Chief Doug Wood to KOMO News. "He's a convicted felon with a prior conviction for selling drugs," Wood added. 

Authorities conducted a drug raid in 2011 on the "known problem house" where the shooting took place, and have seized weapons from Braymiller before, reports GoSkagit.com. 

Locals who spot Braymiller are being encouraged to avoid contact with him and to phone 911 immediately, writes GoSkagit.com, which adds that the Sedro Woolley, Burlington and Mount Vernon police, Skagit County and Whatcom County sheriff’s deputies, and State Patrol troopers are all pursuing the suspect at this time. 

The name of the 4-year-old victim has not been released to the public.