Florida man gets prison for shooting at Biloxi officer during high-speed chase into Mobile
A Pensacola, Florida, man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced for shooting at a police officer from a stolen vehicle in Biloxi last year, according to a press release.
Willie George Byrd, 25, pleaded guilty on Monday to aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and receiving stolen property, District Attorney Crosby Parker said in a news release.
On July 31, 2020, a Biloxi police officer attempted to pull over an SUV traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 near the Woolmarket exit.
Byrd was a passenger in the vehicle, which was driven by Ashley Hurd and had been reported stolen.
“Once the occupants of the vehicle realized they were being followed by law enforcement, the driver of the vehicle accelerated to speeds of more than 100 miles per hour, and Byrd emerged from the passenger side window and fired two shots, striking the Officer’s vehicle,” Assistant District Attorney Ian Baker said in the release.
The officer returned fire, and Hurd and Byrd eventually crashed in downtown Mobile, Alabama, after leading police on a chase through Jackson County, Mississippi, and Mobile.
Police dash camera and body camera footage showed Hurd and Byrd being arrested after a short foot chase.
In court, Byrd admitted to stealing the vehicle in Pensacola, before he and Hurd drove it to Texas. They were driving back from Texas when the officer attempted to pull them over.
In court, Byrd told Judge Mueller, “I got scared, and panicked, and shot at the officer.” Byrd then handed the gun to Hurd to throw out the window.
Byrd has two prior felony convictions from Florida for receiving stolen property and trafficking in stolen property. He was prosecuted as a habitual criminal, and Circuit Court Judge Randi Mueller sentenced him to a 13-year sentence without possibility of early release.
Hurd previously pleaded guilty to accessory after-the-fact to aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and will be sentenced later this month.
