Marcus Dewitt Smith II
A teen who was caught after a chase in Gordon County, Ga., last week is now in the Hamilton County Jail facing charges in connection with a home invasion in June 2012 in which police said he was shot twice.
Marcus Dewitt Smith II, 19, of 325 Cyndica Dr., is charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and unlawfully carrying a weapon.
He was arrested by the Gordon County Sheriff's Office after leading deputies on a high-speed chase. The pursuit began initially on I-75 northbound near Calhoun. Authorities said Smith began driving at speeds up to 100 mph and was weaving across four lanes of traffic. He lost control of the vehicle at an exit and it went end-over-end several times before landing in a ditch. He was arrested as he tried to leave the wrecked vehicle.
In the incident June 7, 2012, police said they responded to a burglary in progress call at 3004 Pope Dr. and found the home owner, Corey Taylor, in front of the residence. He was suffering from two apparent gunshot wounds - one to his stomach and another to his leg. He was transported to Erlanger Hospital for his life-threatening injuries.
He told police a short time later that he was sitting in his house when he heard a vehicle pull up across the street. He looked out and saw two black males exit the vehicle and walk up to his front door. He said one of them kicked his door in an attempt to break in.
He said the pair left when he yelled at them, but they returned and burst into his home. He said he had called police after the first attempt, but they had not yet arrived.
He said one of the intruders was carrying a long rifle and the other had a pistol. He said in a struggle over the guns he was shot twice and one of the intruders was also hit twice. He said he finally wrestled the rifle away, causing them to leave.
Police said after the incident that Smith showed up at the hospital with the wounds that the home owner had described.