GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- A man who opened fire on a North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper during a high speed pursuit last year was sentenced to 30 years on federal drug and gun charges on Monday.
Tyler Lloyd Grantz was convicted on Feb. 12 after a three-day trial on counts on possession of a stolen firearm, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, and carry/use, by discharging, firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, according to a news release.
According to evidence presented at the trial, at approximately 2:09 am on March 5, 2019, the 21-year-old was speeding down Interstate 40 eastbound at 100 mph in a stolen GMC Acadia when a trooper attempted to pull him over. While driving, Grantz fired multiple rounds from a stolen Glock .40 caliber handgun at the trooper’s car.
Grantz then pulled over at the New Hope Church Road exit in Orange County and crashed his car along the wood line. As the trooper approached the vehicle, grantz fired multiple rounds at him with a Draco Arms AK-style 7.62x39mm pistol grip rifle and then ran into the woods. Law enforcement searched the GMC Acadia and found the stolen Glock .40 caliber handgun, a hard hat bearing Grantz's name, and a cell phone bearing his DNA and containing pictures of him, as well as text messages discussing drug sales. Law enforcement also found multiple .40 caliber shell casings along Interstate 40 and multiple 7.62x39mm shell casings at the crash site.
After a multiple hour manhunt, law enforcement arrested Grantz a few miles from the crash site. He had the Draco Arms assault rifle and distribution quantities of cocaine hydrochloride and oxycodone on him, as well as multiple other controlled substances, a large amount of cash, drug packaging materials, and digital scales. A forensic scientist confirmed that recovered shell casings matched the two firearms.
"Let the 30 year sentence in this case put violent drug dealers on notice. If you are using guns to help your drug business and if you shoot at a cop, you will suffer serious federal consequences," U.S. Attorney Matt Martin said in a statement. "I commend the FBI, Orange County Sheriff, NC State Highway Patrol, and Chapel Hill Police Department for excellent work in this case."
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the Chapel Hill Police Department.
