Laurinburg police are looking for man who went after his wife and a relative with an axe.

Authorities say 56-year old James Calvin Boyd tried to kill his estranged wife, Alvina Boyd on Wednesday.

According to Capt. Kimothy Monroe, James Boyd hacked open the door to his wife's residence at 12420 Purcell Road in Laurinburg at about 4 a.m.

James Boyd told Alvina Boyd and her brother that he was was going to kill them and chased both through the house, Monroe said.

They locked themselves first in a bedroom, then in a bathroom adjoining the bedroom, Monroe said.

James Boyd broke open the door to the bedroom but did not enter the bathroom, according to Monroe

James Boyd left before police arrived.

No one was injured in the incident.

Alvina Boyd and her brother were terrified by the attack, Monroe said.

"Living in fear is not a pretty sight," he said.

Monroe characterized the incident as part of a domestic situation.

"It's been an ongoing process between the two of them for a while."

He said Alvina Boyd had taken out several previous warrants on her husband and had a standing restraining order against him. James Boyd no longer lives with his wife and police do not know his new address.

The axe was described to police as a long-handled axe with a sharp blade, Monroe said. The axe has not yet been recovered.

No one appeared to be in the residence Wednesday afternoon. The front door had a large piece missing near the lock and the doorknob was laying on the ground. A window was also broken and a screen to the window was laying bent on the ground.

Monroe said warrants have been issued for James Boyd's arrest on charges of attempted murder, first-degree burglary and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill.

Boyd has a history of assaulting authorities, according to the N.C. Department of Corrections.

He is currently on probation for assaulting an officer, and previously been convicted of both resisting officers and assaulting a policeman.

Monroe said there had been several previous charges against James Boyd for domestic crimes, though those charges have been dropped.

"Police consider James Calvin Boyd armed and dangerous and he should be approached with extreme caution," Monroe said.

He asked that anyone who knows the whereabouts of James Boyd call 911.