Who are Dalton Potter and Jonathan Hosmer? Here's all about 'armed' Texas fugitives who shot Georgia deputy
Georgia police are looking for two men who are allegedly "armed and dangerous". According to Daily Mail, the two men allegedly shot and wounded a deputy sheriff before crashing their stolen vehicle and fleeing into the woods.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, as reported by WSB-TV, said Dalton Potter, 29, and Jonathan Hosmer, 47, were wanted Texas fugitives. They were driving a stolen trailer in Dalton, Georgia, on September 7 morning. They were pulled over in a white Chevrolet Tahoe when they were pulling the stolen utility trailer. Potter allegedly fired shots at Deputy Darrell Hackney, who was saved due to his bulletproof vest. According to WSB-TV, Hackney and another Whitfield County deputy, Adrian Gomez, fire back, but the duo fled by driving south on Interstate 75. Later, they crashed the car and trailer on I-75 S near the Whitfield/Gordon County line.
The duo escaped into the woods and has not been found yet. A home surveillance system near the crash site caught Hosmer leaving the scene. Both Potter and Hosmer are from Leakey, Texas, and the latter was wanted in Texas for burglary, according to Daily Mirror.
As per the report, Potter has been charged with aggravated assault on the officer. Even though Hosmer has not yet been charged, an arrest warrant has been issued for him. According to the report the Georgia Bureau of Investigations said, "Potter is considered armed and dangerous and a 'Blue Alert' has been issued for Potter's capture."
BLUE ALERT issued for Dalton Potter, age 29. Potter is suspected of shooting a Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office deputy overnight. Last known to be on foot on Interstate 75 at the Whitfield/Gordon County line. Potter is considered armed and dangerous. Call 911. #BlueAlert pic.twitter.com/Vdyl8ReGaW
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) September 7, 2020
A second wanted Texas fugitive, Jonathan Hosmer, age 47, has been identified in the Whitfield County officer involved shooting. ☎️: 706.370.4900.
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) September 7, 2020
Updated press release: https://t.co/SSv4P6hOHZ pic.twitter.com/ZMrF9l290w
Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood said the officer was treated at a hospital and is currently at home. Chitwood is quoted as saying, "Thank goodness that his vest protected it. He was treated and released at the hospital last night. Had a burning sensation, little abrasion, but overall fine, right below the rib cage."
According to WRCBtv, local residents in that area are also anxious and helping the police. A resident John Locklear said, "He walked, went down that road, went over the railroad tracks and went that way, I said about five minutes ago." Locklear claims that he thinks he saw someone who fits Potter's description on September 7 morning and had informed the authorities. "I looked at him and he turned his head, he didn't want me to look at his face. I said, well, there's something weird about that. So I got back here and checked my stuff out to see if anything was missing. But they said he was armed," Locklear said, as per the report.
Even Chitwood admitted that eyewitnesses have helped them narrow their search. He is quoted as saying, "One of the neighbors gave the description, we felt like it was legitimate, we focused on that area. But we've come up with nothing at this point. We did come up with a pack of fresh cigarettes we felt like possibly could be his."