Gwinnett chase suspect expected to recover, faces charges in Hall County

A Lawrenceville man is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer after allegedly leading Gwinnett County Police officers on a chase last Friday, November 3.  The pursuit ended with gunshots in Hall County.

 

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, James Corey Heard is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. 

 

The ordeal started around 10:00 a.m. when Gwinnett County Police attempted to arrest Heard on Buford Highway near Hamilton Mill Road.  

 

Heard, wanted on outstanding arrest warrants for violation of probation, fleeing and eluding, obstruction, and reckless driving, allegedly sped off in a 1997 Ford Escort, according to a GBI media release.

 

"The suspect pointed a gun outside the window during the pursuit and started firing at our officers," Gwinnett Police Corporal Michelle Pihera said on the day of the incident.

 

The chase made its way into Hall County and the city limits of Braselton.  At that point, Heard allegedly began driving on the wrong side of Friendship Road, near Ga. 211.

 

According to the GBI, Gwinnett County Officer Jason Robertson executed a Pursuit Intervention Technique to stop Heard.

 

"During the execution of the PIT maneuver, Heard pointed a handgun at Officer Robertson,"  the release stated.  "Both vehicles came to rest adjacent to each other and Officer Robertson fired multiple shots at Heard from his patrol vehicle."

 

Heard suffered injuries to his hand and head.  Bureau officials said the head wound, the result of a gunshot, may have been self-inflicted.

 

Heard is at Gwinnett Medical Center and is expected to recover.

 

"The GBI investigation into the matter is ongoing," the news release stated.  "Upon completion, the case will be turned over to the Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for review and prosecution."