Milam County deputy escapes being shot during traffic stop

A Milam County deputy escaped harm after being shot at during a routine traffic stop early this morning.

Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said an attempted routine traffic stop about 2 a.m. on Dec. 8 on Griffith Lane in the Thorndale area went south when the suspect opened fire.

Clore said Deputy Beasley turned on his lights to initiate the stop on a minor violation when the suspect instead opened fire out the back window of his own vehicle, shattering that windshield and striking the patrol unit three times. One bullet went through the front windshield and two struck the light bar on top of the patrol unit. Thankfully, the bullet that came through the windshield narrowly missed Beasley and a short, five minute pursuit began. That chase ended about five minutes later on CR 458 when the suspect surrendered without further incident.

The driver of the vehicle is in custody and the investigation is ongoing with charges pending. No name will be released until charges are formall filed. Milam County deputies, Williamson County deputies, Rockdale Police, and the Milam County Precinct 4 Constable also responded. There were no injuries reported.