A Clayton County deputy shot at a 17-year-old who fled a roadblock and drove toward him Thursday, authorities said.
The incident occurred during a "strategic road check" set up at the intersection of Brookstone and Summer Brook roads, the sheriff's office said in a news release. Authorities said Travon Laws made a U-turn when he realized he was approaching the checkpoint and fled from deputies at a high rate of speed.
According to the sheriff’s office, Laws’ black Kia Forte drove onto a sidewalk and came “within inches” of striking the deputy, who pulled his gun and fired toward the car. The bullet struck the rear passenger-side door but missed the teenager, causing him to lose control and drive into a wooded area, authorities said.
As deputies moved in to capture him, Laws allegedly resisted arrest and attempted to reach for something in his waistband, the sheriff’s office said. When he did, a purple and black 9mm handgun fell out.
Deputies used force to subdue Laws, who they said does not have a driver’s license and is too young to have a handgun. A second firearm was recovered during a search of the car, authorities said.
Laws was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on an officer, two counts of possession of a handgun by someone under 18, driving without a license, driving without a valid tag, a window tint violation, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to stop or yield at a sign and fleeing from police. He remains held without bond at the Clayton County Jail, records show.
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