Suspect shot by troopers after multi-state chase identified

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. - The man shot by a Georgia State Patrol trooper following a chase which ended in Paulding County Monday afternoon has been identified, according to a spokesman for the sheriff's department.

Donald Brandon Hamner, 25, will face charges across several counties from East Alabama to West Georgia after a brief crime spree Monday once he is released from the hospital.

The chase started in Alabama after police say they spotted Hamner driving an SUV that was reported stolen. The pursuit continued into Georgia, where Haralson County deputies got involved. Police said that they were told that guns were being thrown from the suspect's vehicle.

“It's not clear how many weapons were tossed from the stolen vehicle. But it's safe to say there was definitely more than one,” said Sgt. Ashley Henson, Paulding County Sheriff's Office.

Soon after that, the pursuit continued into Tallapoosa's Broad Street, where police said Hamner crashed the car into a tree and then began firing at a trooper. The trooper shot back, causing the suspect to leave their car, break into a home, steal another vehicle, and continue fleeing, police said.

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The suspect was shot in the leg in Haralson County, according to deputies.

The chase ended along Old White Oak Cemetery Church Road in the Dallas area.

“In the mist of the burglary at the home in Haralson County, shots were exchanged between the suspect and several law enforcement officers from various jurisdictions. We're still trying to determine how the suspect was shot,” said Sgt. Henson.

The firearms which were thrown out of the vehicle have been retrieved by the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office. Hamner has been charged with failure to appear warrant and aggravated assault on a peace officer. More charges are expected to follow.

“Thank God none of the officers, Troopers or deputies involved in the chase were injured during the shootout or the pursuit. Our deputies, along with state troopers, used stop sticks to blow out a tire on the stolen Toyota on Old White Oak Church Cemetery Road. Once the suspect slowed down, K-9s were able to detain him. The suspect was taken to Kennestone Hospital with a dog bite and the gunshot wound," said Sgt. Henson.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate the shooting.