Shootout in Wheeler County
A high-speed chase across two counties ended in a shootout and crash in Wheeler County with two suspects being taken into custody on Thursday, June 12.
Miraculously, no one was hurt in the incident that began shortly after 11 a.m. in Laurens County as law officers attempted to stop a Silver Equinox on U.S. Highway 441 in Laurens County. Earlier in the day authorities had been alerted that the Equinox was taken in a carjacking in Jacksonville, Florida, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation stated in a press release.
While in pursuit, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to perform a pit maneuver on the Equinox, but the driver, Brianna Michelle Long, 27, of Jacksonville, Florida, regained control of the vehicle and continued to flee. While still on 441 in Laurens County, a passenger in the Equinox, later identified as Steven Allen Shinholster II, age 30, of Orange Park, Florida, fired a gun toward the deputies, striking their vehicles.
The chase ensued into continued from page
Wheeler County, and Shinholster continued to fire his gun at deputies. Long drove the Equinox through a stop sign at the intersection of 441 and U.S. Highway 280 in Wheeler County and crashed in a field across the road from the intersection. After the crash, Shinholster and Long got out of the Equinox and started running into the woods near a residential community. Shinholster was armed with a rifle.
When Laurens County deputies approached the woods, Shinholster began shooting at the deputies again. A Laurens County deputy returned fire, but Long and Shinholster were not hit. During the standoff, a Georgia State Patrol (GSP) trooper responding to assist came under fire from the suspect. The trooper's patrol car was struck by bullets while the trooper was inside, but the trooper was not injured.
The standoff lasted for several hours, with GSP SWAT arresting Long and Shinholster just after 3 p.m. The suspects were booked into the Laurens County Detention Center and will face multiple counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer in both Laurens and Wheeler counties At the request of both the Laurens and Wheeler County Sheriff’s Offices, the GBI is investigating the aggravated assaults on law enforcement officers and the officer-involved shooting that occurred during the incident. The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Dublin Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office and the Oconee Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for prosecution and review.
Wheeler County Sheriff Glen Giles said Monday morning that it is amazing that no one was hit in the gunfire. After the suspects ran into the woods behind Cravey’s Hardware store off Highway 280 following the crash, the armed suspect continued firing his gun with one bullet entering a nearby residence. The round went into a kitchen, shattering plates in the cupboard. The resident of the home was in the kitchen at the time but miraculously was not hurt. Giles said one of his deputies was close to the GSP patrol unit that was struck by bullets, narrowly missing the gunfire. Giles said that eventually, the suspect just ran out of bullets.
In a post Thursday night on the WCSO Facebook page Sheriff Giles said, “First off, I just want to say a big thank you to all of my deputies. When the call went out today, every one of them that could show up, did—some had just gotten off night shift, others were on their day off, but they didn’t hesitate. We’re truly blessed and lucky to have such a solid, dependable group of deputies serving Wheeler County.
“To all the other agencies that came out to help, thank you. I’d try to list you all, but I’d hate to leave anyone out. Just know we appreciate you being there. And lastly, a huge thank you to our community. I’ve had so many calls, texts, and Facebook messages checking in on us today. That kind of support means a lot to everyone here at the Sheriff’s Office. We are blessed to serve such a great community.
“I’m very thankful this situation ended the way it did. No one was hurt, and tonight everyone—except the two suspects—is going home to their families. For that, I’m truly grateful.”
Brianna Michelle Long
