Timothy Avis Coleman, 45, who owns Coleman's Drive-In with his wife Ladonna, was last seen before dawn Wednesday in Lake Tabor, about an hour before another resident saw someone in the water calling for help, Capt. Greg Sibbett of the Tabor City Police Department said.
The first resident heard a knock at his door, checked his property and found Coleman near the water, Sibbett said.
The second resident could not be sure if the man got out of the water or not, Sibbett said.
Searchers found clothing and a handgun on the bank near the water.
