Post by WaTcHeR on May 17, 2006 9:47:32 GMT -5
05/17/2006 - An off-duty OUPD officer shot a man suspected of fleeing the scene of an accident May 7 near Harvey Street in Oklahoma City, said Sgt. Paco Balberamma.
Ronald Mason, an officer at OU Health and Sciences Center, gave chase to the suspect, Damon Redo, after observing that Redo's car hit a barrier wall late that afternoon, said Balberamma, assistant public information officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Balberamma said that after the suspect left the scene, Mason exited his police vehicle and pursued Redo on foot for about four to five blocks.
Mason followed the suspect into a sparsely wooded area, where he identified himself as a police officer and ordered Redo to the ground, Balberamma said.
Redo ignored the officer's direction, then turned and approached Mason. A struggle followed, during which Mason fired at least two shots into the suspect's abdomen and arm, Balberamma said.
Prior to the accident, Redo's speed was clocked at 71 mph in a 50 mph construction zone, according to the police report.
Balberamma said another police officer attempted to pull over the suspect just before Redo crashed.
“I observed an orange barrel fly up into the air,” the officer at the scene, Michael Johnson, stated in the report. “I then observed a large cloud of dust go up into the air from the inside wall as if (the car) had spun out and crashed into the wall.”
Some officers said they suspected a speeding ticket was the least of the suspect's worries.
Along with a speeding ticket, Redo is also charged with driving with a suspended license, failure to show proof of insurance, leaving the scene of an accident and an outstanding felony warrant.
Redo had an outstanding warrant in Oklahoma County for check forgery, Balberamma said.
After being shot, the suspect attempted a second escape while Mason contacted 911 for assistance, Balberamma said.
One of the officers on the scene worked with the canine unit, which was quick to sniff out the suspect.
The incident is still under investigation by the Oklahoma City Police Department, and OU officials said they must abide by certain policies.
“As is standard procedure, the officer was put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” said Catherine Bishop, OU's vice president for Public Affairs.
Bishop said that members of the OUPD are commissioned law enforcement officers and authorized to carry weapons.
The suspect was last confirmed to be in fair condition at an undisclosed hospital.
Ronald Mason, an officer at OU Health and Sciences Center, gave chase to the suspect, Damon Redo, after observing that Redo's car hit a barrier wall late that afternoon, said Balberamma, assistant public information officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Balberamma said that after the suspect left the scene, Mason exited his police vehicle and pursued Redo on foot for about four to five blocks.
Mason followed the suspect into a sparsely wooded area, where he identified himself as a police officer and ordered Redo to the ground, Balberamma said.
Redo ignored the officer's direction, then turned and approached Mason. A struggle followed, during which Mason fired at least two shots into the suspect's abdomen and arm, Balberamma said.
Prior to the accident, Redo's speed was clocked at 71 mph in a 50 mph construction zone, according to the police report.
Balberamma said another police officer attempted to pull over the suspect just before Redo crashed.
“I observed an orange barrel fly up into the air,” the officer at the scene, Michael Johnson, stated in the report. “I then observed a large cloud of dust go up into the air from the inside wall as if (the car) had spun out and crashed into the wall.”
Some officers said they suspected a speeding ticket was the least of the suspect's worries.
Along with a speeding ticket, Redo is also charged with driving with a suspended license, failure to show proof of insurance, leaving the scene of an accident and an outstanding felony warrant.
Redo had an outstanding warrant in Oklahoma County for check forgery, Balberamma said.
After being shot, the suspect attempted a second escape while Mason contacted 911 for assistance, Balberamma said.
One of the officers on the scene worked with the canine unit, which was quick to sniff out the suspect.
The incident is still under investigation by the Oklahoma City Police Department, and OU officials said they must abide by certain policies.
“As is standard procedure, the officer was put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” said Catherine Bishop, OU's vice president for Public Affairs.
Bishop said that members of the OUPD are commissioned law enforcement officers and authorized to carry weapons.
The suspect was last confirmed to be in fair condition at an undisclosed hospital.