RALEIGH - Henderson residents are taking Vance County Sheriff Peter White’s advice and arming themselves.
Henderson has suffered a rash of violent crimes including carjacking, rape and murder.

At a community meeting Thursday, White said at a community meeting that residents should do what they need to do in order to protect themselves.
In response, dozens of women showed up Friday and applied for gun permits.

Nearly two weeks ago the town saw a double murder. Also this month, two women were carjacked and one of them raped at gunpoint.

The sheriff said authorities have a sexual assault suspect in mind and have asked the FBI to assist them. However, White has not released a specific description, which has frustrated many residents, particularly females. Sheriff White said releasing more information would compromise the investigation.