Executive Summary
- Suspect arrested after allegedly ramming two police vehicles during a traffic stop.
- Pursuit resulted in damage to three law enforcement units and one civilian vehicle.
- Defendant faces 15 existing drug and weapon charges, with additional counts pending.
A 31-year-old South Carolina man is in custody facing numerous charges after allegedly ramming police vehicles and leading officers on a pursuit through York on Wednesday afternoon, according to law enforcement officials. Anthony Christopher Shannon Jr., of York, was apprehended in a wooded area following the incident which resulted in minor injuries to one officer and damage to three law enforcement vehicles.
The events unfolded around 3 p.m. when agents from the York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit attempted a traffic stop to serve outstanding arrest warrants on Shannon for drug and weapons offenses. According to unit commander Matt Earls, the suspect reacted by ramming his vehicle into two police cars before fleeing the scene, initiating a chase.
During the ensuing pursuit, Shannon allegedly struck another vehicle in a shopping center parking lot on Liberty Street, according to Earls and Lt. Sean Bailey of the York Police Department. The suspect eventually drove to Railroad Avenue, where he abandoned his car and fled on foot into nearby woods. A tracking operation involving York County Sheriff’s Office K9 units successfully located Shannon, and he was taken into custody without injury.
Procedural Next Steps
Following the arrest, the investigation is now focused on processing the extensive list of allegations against the defendant. Police records indicate Shannon currently faces 15 drug and weapon charges, with additional counts expected regarding the vehicular collisions and flight from law enforcement. The successful apprehension without severe injury to the public demonstrates the efficacy of coordinated efforts between municipal officers and specialized drug enforcement units when apprehending suspects with outstanding warrants. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
