Adair County — An Oklahoma state wildlife officer approached three people fishing in the Bunch area. The officer asked to see their fishing licenses and learned one of the three had a warrant out of Arkansas for a parole violation. As the officer attempted to take the man into custody, that man began to fight with the officer.
The men fell into a pond where the suspect tried to hold the officer’s head under water. The officer fought his way above the water and shot the suspect. The man died at the scene. The wildlife officer was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
The chief of the Wildlife Department requested OSBI investigate the officer-involved shooting. Numerous investigative and crime scene agents are on the scene interviewing witnesses and documenting the scene. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office is also assisting.
The OSBI will not release the name of the officer who killed the suspect unless he is arrested or charged with a crime. The name of the deceased man will be released once his next of kin has been notified. OSBI will prepare a comprehensive report for the district attorney to review. The district attorney will determine whether the shooting was justified.
