KERSHAW COUNTY (WIS) - Kershaw County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested a rape suspect who they say led them on a chase and fired shots at them.
Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews says Brandon Christopher Smith was wanted for breaking into a house on Old Georgetown Road East near Cassatt, where he raped and beat the 19-year-old woman who lived there. The woman managed to call 911.
Sheriff Matthews says while deputies were talking to the victim, Smith drove by the house. When deputies tried to pull Smith over, Sheriff Matthews says he fired a shotgun at them. Matthews says Smith also fired at other deputies who were chasing him. Three patrol cars were hit, but none of the deputies were shot.
The chase ended about 20 minutes later when the suspect crashed into another vehicle on US 1 near Camden. Smith's car flipped several time. Sheriff Matthews says the other driver was not hurt. Smith was taken to the hospital and when he is released, he will be taken to the Kershaw County Detention Center.
"The fact that he's firing at police officers, the guy's obviously out of control and he needed to be stopped," said Matthews.
Smith will be charged with criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, burglary, failure to stop for blue lights and several counts of attempted murder. His bond will likely be set on Jan. 23.
"I'm very grateful that no one got hurt, other than the suspect," said Matthews, "and I don't think he was badly hurt, but he'll remember this and I suspect he's going to spend a long time behind bars."
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Brandon Christopher Smith (Source: Kershaw County Sheriff's Department)
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