Man, teen arrested after shots fired at Laurens Co. deputies during chase

LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A man and a 16-year-old are now in custody after a reported shooting involving deputies in a chase in Laurens County.

On Monday, Oct. 7, a deputy with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office noticed a car disregard a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 14 and Hunts Bridge Road before 10 p.m.

According to deputies, the driver, later identified as 20-year-old Braxton Mitchell, of Lyman, refused to stop for blue lights. The vehicle proceeded to pass another car on a double yellow line, continued to Interstate 385 and then to Highway 14 in Gray Court at a high rate of speed.

During the chase, law enforcement said the passenger, a teenager from Simpsonville, fired shots at the deputy while continuing at a high rate of speed. Deputies said items were also thrown from the vehicle and the driver continued to disregard traffic safety.

The sheriff’s office said officials were able to disable the vehicle near Narnie Road.

Both Mitchell and the teenager were taken into custody.

Further into the investigation, deputies learned that the vehicle used in the chase had been stolen in a carjacking incident that occurred in Greenville. The firearm used in the shooting was reported stolen out of Spartanburg.

Mitchell was charged with the following:

• Attempted murder
• Failure to stop for blue light
• Possession of stolen vehicle
• Possession with intent to distribute marijuana
• Driving under suspension (second offense)
• Reckless driving

Deputies also charged the 16-year-old with the following:

• Attempted murder
• Possession of a stolen firearm
• Possession of altered firearm/ machine gun
• Possession with intent to distribute marijuana
• Possession of stolen vehicle

Due to the suspect’s age, the sheriff’s office did not release the identity of the teenager.

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