Sheriff: Rape suspect fired on cops with shotgun

CAMDEN, S.C. (AP) — Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews says a rape suspect led deputies on a chase, firing his shotgun at officers before crashing his vehicle.

Matthews said deputies started chasing Brandon Smith after he drove past a house Wednesday where officers were investigating a 19-year-old woman’s allegations that Smith broke into her home and raped her.

Matthews says Smith fired several shots with a shotgun at officers who started to chase him, but no one was injured.

Deputies flattened one of Smith’s tires, but they couldn’t take him into custody until he crashed into a car on U.S. 1 near Camden.

Matthews says Smith will be charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and attempted murder when he is released from the hospital. It wasn’t clear if he had an attorney.