Local

Suspect captured after shooting leaves south Georgia deputy in critical condition

Troy Arthur Phillips (Georgia Bureua)

DECATUR COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a man has been captured after a shooting left a south Georgia deputy in critical condition.

Troy Arthur Phillips was taken into custody on Sunday before 2 p.m.

Family members identified the Decatur County deputy who was shot as Lieutenant Justin Bedwell. His sister said he was flown to a Tallahassee hospital. A GoFundMe has been set up to help Bedwell’s family with medical expenses.

The incident happened Feb. 27 in southwest Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a deputy in Seminole County was attempting to conduct a traffic stop on two suspects for reckless driving.

The two men, identified as Troy Phillips and Brad Phillips, were in a white Chevrolet pickup trucks with Florida tags. It’s unclear if the men are related.

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The two men refused to stop and a chase ensued. The suspects began to shoot at Seminole County deputies, who returned fire.

The chase continued into Decatur County, where deputies there also joined the pursuit.

The suspects drove to a home, where they tried to get in by shooting through a door. The homeowner fired back and the suspects left the home.

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As a Decatur County deputy was arriving at the scene, one of the suspects shot at his vehicle. The deputy, who identified by family as Bedwell, was rushed to the hospital for surgery. His family said he remains in the ICU.

The suspects fled away and wrecked the truck a short time later. A Georgia State Patrol helicopter and crew responded to the scene. Brad Phillips, 41, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer.

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