Published: December 29, 2008 01:21 pm      

Trooper shoots charging suspect

By Randy Mitchell

Staff Writer



STONEWALL — An Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper was forced to shoot a suspect after a high-speed chase Saturday, according to Coal County Sheriff Roy Deck.

Deck said Gary Alan Humphreys, 42, Centrahoma, was shot by OHP Trooper Keith Teel after he allegedly tried to run Teel over with his vehicle.

According to Stonewall Police Chief Jason Teel, the chase began just after 10 p.m. on County Road 3 Drive (old State Highway 3) near Union Valley. Teel was called to the Young Guns Bar in Union Valley where a man was reportedly breaking windows. The man had fled before officers arrived.

Jason Teel responded along with OHP troopers, sheriff’s deputies and Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse police who arrived to assist. After taking statements, Teel was leaving when he encountered Humphreys.

“I get in my car to leave and go back to Stonewall and as I’m pulling out Humphreys comes down Lovelady and pulls out onto Highway 3,” Jason Teel said. “As I’m pulling out of the bar parking lot, he almost hits me, comes over in my lane and forces me off into the ditch to keep from hitting him.”

Jason Teel attempted to make a traffic stop but Humphreys fled at high speeds.

“Several times throughout this pursuit, Humphreys is slamming on his brakes trying to get the trooper behind him and us to hit him,” Jason Teel said. “We turned right onto Jesse Road. As we do he slams on his brakes again and the trooper has to pull off into the ditch and slam on his brakes to keep from hitting him. He swerves and makes first contact with the troopers car right there at the corner of Main and Jesse in Stonewall.”

Jason Teel said Humphreys entered the northbound exit ramp on SH 3 driving the wrong way.

“We pursued him about a mile into Coal County and at this point we’ve only passed one vehicle, other traffic on the road, but there was traffic coming. There was a line of traffic coming.

“The trooper decided to do the Tactical Vehicle Intervention Technique before he hurts somebody.”

Jason Teel said officers feared for the safety of other drivers because Humphreys was intoxicated and swerving all over the road and that was the decision behind the TVI maneuver.

“He tries to keep going and is driving toward the trooper and I believe that’s when the shots were fired,” Jason Teel said. “Whenever he decided to use his vehicle as a deadly weapon. He was hit once in the arm. It went from his arm and into his chest.”

A Pontotoc County sheriff’s deputy wrecked his patrol vehicle during the chase. The deputy was not injured.

Ada firefighters and Valley View EMS responded and Humphreys was taken to Valley View Regional Hospital. OHP Captain Chris West said the matter is under investigation and it will be up to the districts attorneys whether or not charges are filed against Humphreys.

Deck said Humphreys could face charges in both Pontotoc and Coal counties. He said Humphreys is in good condition and no law enforcement officers were injured during the chase.