Kershaw County, SC (WACH) - Kershaw County Deputies have arrested a man accused of breaking into a home, raping and beating the female occupant, leading deputies on a high speed chase, and firing on several deputies with a shotgun.

According to Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews, Brandon Christopher Smith, 19, broke into a home on Old Georgetown Road East near Cassatt, SC. He then beat and sexually assaulted a 19-year-old female in the home. The female managed to escape from Smith and called authorities.

While Kershaw County deputies were interviewing the rape victim, Smith drove by the house. A Kershaw County deputy attempted to pull Smith over, but Smith fled the scene. As he fled, Smith pulled out a shotgun and fired several rounds at several deputies striking three patrol cars. No officers were hit by the gunfire.

A Kershaw County deputy was able to deploy “stop sticks” which deflated one of the tires on the vehicle Smith was driving. Smith continued to drive at a relatively high speed and continued to shoot at pursuing deputies and a State Transport Police Officer.

Deputies and Camden Police stopped traffic driving in the direction of the chase, but a lady pulled out from a side road onto US 1 in East Camden where her Toyota was struck by Smith’s vehicle. She was not injured.

Smith lost control of his vehicle and it flipped several times. Pursuing deputies immediately took Smith into custody. He was transported by EMS for treatment of injuries received in the accident.

“I told the lady that was driving the vehicle, I was glad she was unhurt and I was sorry that her car was damaged. She inadvertently prevented a bad situation from getting even worse when she caused Smith to wreck, ending the chase. He was heading into Camden and was not going to be taken easily,” said Sheriff Matthews.

Smith will be charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, burglary, failure to stop for blue lights and several counts of attempted murder.
Upon his release from the hospital, he will be transported to the Kershaw County Detention Center.

His bond will likely be set on January 23rd.