MAN APPREHENDED IN WHITFIELD AFTER FOOT CHASE, SHOOTING AT LOCAL OFFICER AT CALHOUN BUC-EE’S: An Atlanta-area man was apprehended in Whitfield County earlier this morning after an incident at Buc-ee’s where he shot at a local officer.
The incident began earlier when the man, identified as Robert Smith, pictured, held a female friend and her child at gunpoint in the Atlanta area and demanded she drive her to Nashville. For reasons unknown, they stopped at the Buc-ee’s in Calhoun, off of Exit 310 at Union Grove Road. The woman and the child were able to escape the man and went into the restroom at Buc-ee’s, where they requested an employee to call 911.
An officer with the Calhoun Police Department arrived on scene, and Smith began running around the outside of the building, leading the officer on a foot chase. At one point, the man turned around and shot at the officer, but missed. The man then found a running vehicle, brandished a gun and made the driver get out of the vehicle, stole the car and fled on I-75 North.
A BOLO was put out on the vehicle and man, and Whitfield County law enforcement came in contact with him, with a pursuit chasing. Smith wrecked the vehicle he was driving and ran on foot. Whitfield County law enforcement were able to apprehend Smith. Details of the apprehension are unclear at press time.
There is no danger to the public due to this incident. The officer that was shot at received no injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
