'We're lucky no one died:' Sheriff says angel watched over deputies during shootout

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — The sheriff in Barrow County said his deputies had an angel over them during a chase and shootout that left two people wounded Tuesday.

Sheriff Jud Smith said the most critical point in the incident was that the suspect’s pickup truck was still moving while he fired at the deputies through his front windshield.

Smith gave Channel 2's Tony Thomas the first look at the department's damaged vehicles.

“That's where the rounds exited the vehicle,” Smith said.

A Barrow County sheriff's deputy fired shots through his own windshield, trying to stop 31-year-old suspect Casey Taylor after a chase and crash.

Dashcam video of the pursuit was released Wednesday. Authorities said Taylor was driving the pickup truck as it dodged oncoming traffic and swerved at deputies for 16 minutes.

“We are lucky no one died yesterday,” Smith said.

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Two in-car cameras rolled as a deputy forced the truck to spin out. Video shows the driver immediately firing through his windshield.

“How many rounds?” Thomas asked.

“They estimate between him and us, 40 to 45,” Smith responded.

It was all within about 10-15 feet and in seconds. The sheriff also showed Thomas a second damaged car.

“Any idea why all this?” Thomas asked.

“Nothing yet other than he said he was scared and there was a weapon in the car and he didn't want to go to jail,” Smith said.

Taylor and one of two female passengers were wounded and are expected to be OK.

Taylor has been charged with five counts of aggravated assault. The district attorney has already ruled the shootings were justified.

“It's a blessing that they had an angel with him. It's a blessing that our guys are not hurt,” Smith said.

Taylor is out of the hospital and in jail. The wounded female is still being treated. She was shot in the face.

Cox Media Group