Former cop accused of chase wanted for threatening woman, children

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A former Leland Police officer accused of leading a high-speed chase from Brunswick County into South Carolina was wanted on warrants that accuse him of threats against a woman and her children involving a rifle.

The warrants say Hank Smith pointed the AR-15 rifle at the woman and told her he would kill her and her children. The alleged incident Sept. 7 led to charges of assault on a female, assault with a deadly weapon, assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats.

A Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said says around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday deputies tried to serve the warrants on Smith, 40, of Supply. The spokeswoman says Smith fled from deputies, which started a chase. Multiple agencies including BSCO pursued Smith, who was armed with a gun and firing shots at officers, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Detectives have since gotten warrants against Smith for attempted murder, flee/elude arrest and assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm.

Investigators say the chase continued into Horry County and ended on SC Highway 31, where Smith was taken into custody by South Carolina officials. Horry County Police say Smith is in an area hospital and will be charged when he is released. There’s no word yet on what those charges will be.

Smith will be held in SC until he is extradited to Brunswick County.

None of the pursuing officers were hurt during the incident.

Smith was a part-time Basic Law Enforcement Training instructor at Brunswick Community College, but he no longer works there the school says.