Forrest and Perry Counties District Attorney Lin Carter announced on Nov. 26 that Breonna Gwin was convicted of two counts of simple assault upon a law enforcement officer following the jury's return of guilty verdicts at her trial on October 16, 2024.
Breonna Gwin (“Gwin") was convicted in the Forrest County Circuit Court of two counts of simple assault upon a law enforcement officer. following the return of unanimous guilty verdicts at her trial. The case was presided over by Circuit Court Judge Wes Curry. The assaults occurred on the afternoon of October 23, 2023. when officers of the Hattiesburg Police Department (''HPD'') were dispatched to a residence on the 100 block of East 3rd Street in connection with a call for service by Child Protective Services. Upon arrival at the scene, officers learned that Gwin, who was convicted of drive-by shooting in Forrest County in 2018, had been involved in a physical altercation with her mother.
While conducting their investigation at the scene, officers made a significant effort to deescalate the situation. Gwin became increasingly frustrated and eventually hit one of the officers in the face. Gwin was then placed under arrest and put into the back of a locked HPD patrol car. The arresting officers went back to the residence to continue their investigation and confirm the safety of all individuals present. However, approximately one minute after Gwin had been placed in the back of the patrol car, officers heard the sound of shattering glass coming from the direction of the patrol car which was located down the street. Officers then observed Gwin running towards them in the middle of 3rd Street. HPD patrol car camera footage revealed that Gwin had slipped out of one of her handcuffs, kicked open a backseat window of the car, and jumped out of the car onto the street. She then used the open handcuff to hit another HPD officer in the head, resulting in injuries to his ear and face requiring ambulance transportation to Forrest General Hospital for treatment. Gwin was then subdued by officers and transported to the Forrest County Jail.
"The safety of our communities will continue to be prioritized in my office," said District Attorney Lin Carter. "It is troubling when a domestic disturbance escalates and I am thankful that in this case the Hattiesburg Police Department officers gained control of the situation before things got any worse. I am also thankful that the CPS specialist at the scene was heads up and did not hesitate to call 911 for help.''
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Shoemaker. Following her convictions at trial. Gwin was remanded into the custody of Forrest County Sheriff Charlie Sims to await sentencing in the Forrest County Circuit Court at a later date.
Carter concluded, "I want 10 thank Chief Hardy Sims and the Hattiesburg Police Department for their work in seeing this case through 10 the end. This was a case where the City's Watch.Guard camera system really helped my office demonstrate to the jury. moment by moment, exactly what happened. Both of the victim officers in this case continue to serve the Department and the City of Hattiesburg to this day. We wish them the best and thank them and their families for their committed service.”
