— Law enforcement officers from several agencies mounted a massive search Tuesday in Zebulon for a kidnapping suspect, an operation that snarled traffic for morning commuters and sent parents scrambling to make impromptu daycare plans because of school closures.

"We were very surprised," said parent Hung Sareto. "You don't expect it to happen here in Zebulon."

The suspect has been identified as Hugo Yaret Cortes-Ramirez, 23. Raleigh police said in a written statement that he was found dead in some nearby woods, holding a pistol.

The incident began around 4:30 a.m. during a traffic stop by Raleigh police, who had been alerted about a possible kidnapping involving the driver.

"We were notified early this morning that Raleigh PD and Highway Patrol were pursuing a kidnapping suspect who was traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 64," said Zebulon police Chief Tim Hayworth.

He said his goal was to keep the suspect from getting to downtown Zebulon.

The driver inside the red Honda stopped at mile marker 436 on NC-64, also known as Interstate 87, and began running, police said.

"The suspect exited the vehicle and was firing," Hayworth said. "There were some shots returned (and) the suspect then ran into the wooded area."

The kidnapping victim, whose identity has not been released, was found in the car and taken by officers from the scene.

Hayworth says the suspect's red and silver Honda Accord was disabled after the troopers deployed stop sticks on the road.

The suspect was found dead, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, not far from the highway, authorities said.

Police have not yet provided any details about the kidnapping victim or the relationship between that victim and Cortes-Ramirez or what may have prompted the incident.

During the search, officers from Raleigh police, the State Highway Patrol and the Wake County Sheriff's Office all responded to the scene.

"Everything from the chase to the manhunt to the crime scene was really a great cooperative effort with multiple agencies," Hayworth said. "Everybody worked together to make sure people in our community were safe."

The law enforcement operation prompted the Wake County Public School System to close Zebulon and Wakelon elementary schools and Zebulon Middle School as a precaution.

East Wake Academy said on Twitter that it is closed because of the case.

The police operation impacted school bus operations for Knightdale, Wendell and other eastern Wake County schools.

And motorists sat in gridlock as officers conducted their operation.

Sky 5 footage from the scene showed officers with weapons drawn, flashlights and K9s at a wooded area.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has launched an inquiry into the case.