In the apparent view of 26-year-old Desiree Breshay Smith, she can do no wrong. So, after allegedly attempting to kill a North Carolina police officer for simply pulling her over for a traffic violation, she expected to go free. Unfortunately, the judge wasn’t about to appease her sense of entitlement.
Just after 11 p.m., Fayetteville police officers witnessed Smith’s 2006 Chevrolet Impala speed through a stop sign on the 2000 block of Corrinna Street. As such, the officers engaged their lights and siren in an effort to pull over the driver. However, stopping for a ticket just wasn’t in Smith’s plans.
Desiree Breshay Smith was arrested after shooting at an officer during a routine traffic stop and fleeing the scene. (Photo Credit: Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office)
Instead of stopping, Smith brandished a firearm and opened fire at one of the officers, reportedly in an attempt to murder him. Disturbingly, what would’ve been a simple traffic violation turned into a deadly drive-by shooting, leading police on a terrifying chase.
Eventually, Smith was apprehended while trying to flee the scene. Soon after her arrest, police charged her with felony assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, felony flee to elude arrest, possession of a stolen firearm, careless and reckless driving, and failure to stop at a stop sign, according to The Fayetteville Observer. Fortunately, neither officer was injured.
“As soon as he saw that she was firing shots, he initiated his emergency equipment and she began to flee,” Fayetteville Police Sergeant Jeremy Glass said.
After being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $25,000 bond, Smith went to court for her initial appearance. However, instead of showing remorse for the seriousness of her crimes, Smith smirked and defended her actions, arguing that she shouldn’t be in jail because she’s a good student who’s never been arrested before, Law Enforcement Today reports.
“I’ve never been in trouble before – never ever,” she told the judge. “I’m not guilty of anything they’re saying. I work. I go to school.”
Upon witnessing her remorseless behavior, Judge Stephen Stokes decided to teach her lesson in humility. In response to her arrogant attitude, the judge ordered Smith’s bond to be raised from $25,000 to a whopping $100,000. The suddenly straight-faced and silent woman was then escorted back into police custody.