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1 deputy in critical condition, another hurt in Brinson shooting, suspects arrested

Both suspects have now been arrested
1 deputy in critical condition, another hurt in Brinson shooting, manhunt underway
Posted at 11:21 PM, Feb 27, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-28 17:09:07-05

BRINSON, Ga. (WTXL) — One deputy is in critical condition and another has been injured following a shooting Saturday night in Brinson, with two suspects in custody.

Decatur County Sheriff Wiley Griffin said the shooting happened near U.S. Highway 84 and State Road 310 stemming from a car chase that began in Seminole County.

Authorities have arrested 41-year-old Brad Phillips and his 40-year-old brother Troy Arthur Phillips after a lengthy manhunt.

Griffin announced the news of the arrest of Troy Phillips at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, with Brad Phillips being arrested early Sunday morning.

According to the Decatur County Deputy Sheriff, Troy Phillips was found crouching down in the woods by two officers from different agencies less than a mile from the original scene of the shooting.

He also said that the suspect was found with a knife on him, but no gun.

The search included over 20 law enforcement agencies including the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit and took over 12 hours to find the suspect.

The chase began Saturday evening when a Seminole County deputy tried to pull over a white Chevrolet pickup truck for going 81 mph when they were shot with what was believed to be a .30 caliber rifle, Sheriff Griffin said.

According to details released Sunday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a second Seminole County deputy soon joined the pursuit and the suspects began to fire a weapon from the truck at the deputies as deputies returned fire.

The GBI said deputies then continued the chase into Decatur County where Decatur County deputies joined the chase.

Authorities said the suspects drove into the driveway of a Decatur County home and tried to break in by shooting through the door.

However, the homeowner returned fire and the suspects left the home.

The GBI said that as another Decatur County deputy was arriving in the area, one of the suspects shot at the deputy’s vehicle, hitting the deputy.

The suspects then drove away in their truck and wrecked a short time later in a wooded area, agents said.

A Georgia State Patrol helicopter and crew responded to the area of the wrecked truck and took one of the two suspects, identified as 41-year-old Brad Phillips, into custody.

Brad Phillips has been charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer.

A Decatur County deputy was flown to Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare for surgery after being shot under his arm, according to DCSO.

As of 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, the deputy is out of surgery but remains in critical condition and has been identified as Lt. Justin Bedwell.

Lt. Bedwell has been with the department for 20 years.

A Seminole County deputy was also injured in the incident and was treated and released, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday.

The public is urged to contact the Decatur County 911 center or local law enforcement with information. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online.

This is a developing story. Stay with ABC 27 for updates.