Multi-State Pursuit Ends In Paulding Homeowner's Yard With Arrest

PAULDING COUNTY, GA – A man has been arrested after a multi-state, multi-jurisdiction pursuit that ended in Paulding County homeowner's backyard. Police shot out the back window of vehicle being chased, hitting the driver and eventually used "stop sticks" in an effort to stop the car.

Donald Brandon Hamner, 25, was charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer and failure to appear in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., after the chase. Police say he is likely to face additional charges.

On March 5, at approximately 12:16 p.m. Paulding County E-911 advised that the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office was in pursuit of a stolen white Toyota Tacoma truck on GA SR 120 West traveling towards Paulding County. Paulding E-911 further advised that shots had been fired at some point during the incident. Paulding Deputies immediately traveled to the western side of the county to try and assist with the pursuit.

Once Paulding deputies observed the vehicle on GA SR 120 West (Buchanan Highway), they noticed that it appeared to have had its back glass shattered and possibly shot out. They also noticed that it had sped away from the Haralson County Deputies and it was traveling at a high rate of speed by itself, making it dangerous for other motorists on the roadway. Paulding deputies immediately activated their emergency equipment and pursued the suspect vehicle. During the Paulding portion of the pursuit, deputies were able to successfully deflate one of the suspects tires utilizing “stop-sticks.” The pursuit continued on for several miles but the truck gradually slowed down as the tire began to disintegrate.

Eventually the truck turned onto Old White Oak Church Cemetery Road where it drove through a homeowner’s yard and ultimately onto the back of their property where it crashed into an embankment and a tree. When the suspect exited the vehicle he was apprehended by one of the Sheriff’s Office canines. A short time later, he was taken into custody by the Paulding deputies and Georgia State Patrol Troopers who were on scene.

Deputies immediately called for Paulding Fire/Rescue and MetroAtlanta Ambulance to examine the suspect for the canine apprehension and what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the arm. The suspect was eventually transported to Kennestone Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. It must be noted that there were no shots fired during the Paulding portion of the pursuit.

Once Paulding deputies began speaking with deputies from Haralson County, Troopers from the Georgia State Patrol and deputies from Cleburne County, Ala., they began to get a better understanding of what took place during this multi-state incident.

According to deputies with the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office (Alabama), this incident began when a report was made that a GMC Yukon SUV was stolen. Shortly after the theft, Cleburne deputies spotted the stolen vehicle and that is when the pursuit began. The chase traveled into Georgia where it went through Carroll County and eventually into Haralson County. Haralson County deputies indicated that Hamner crashed the stolen GMC Yukon somewhere in Haralson County and fled on foot. Hamner then broke into a home where he took keys to another vehicle, a white Toyota Tacoma truck. That is when gun fire allegedly erupted between law enforcement officers and Hamner. In the midst of that gunfire, the Hamner fled again and that is when he traveled into Paulding County where Paulding deputies intercepted him. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the officer involved shooting aspect of this case.

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Hamner was released from Kennestone Hospital later in the day and was transported to the Haralson County Jail. Hamner will face multiple charges in several jurisdictions as a result of this incident.

Sheriff Gary Gulledge stated, “This is a true testament to how well we work with both our state, local, and Alabama law enforcement partners. Thankfully this chase ended up with no citizens, deputies, troopers, or officers injured. I hope this individual faces the full extent of what the law allows during his prosecution.”

Photo courtesy Paulding County Sheriff's Office