Press release
**The following update is based on an ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as the OSBI interviews witnesses and collects evidence. The OSBI’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional witnesses are interviewed and additional evidence is collected and analyzed. The OSBI does not release the names of law enforcement involved in officer-involved shootings unless they are charged.**
POTEAU, Okla. – The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred at the E-Z Mart Convenience Store located at 1200 N. Broadway Street in Poteau, Okla., on June 11, 2019. What follows is what is known at this time:
• At 4:45 a.m. the dispatch center in Poteau received a 9-1-1 call that a male was holding the female store clerk at knifepoint.
• A Poteau police officer and LeFlore County sheriff’s deputy were dispatched to the store.
• The Poteau police officer entered the store from the front and saw the suspect holding the clerk at knifepoint.
• The officer ordered the suspect to drop the knife and release the clerk, which he refused to do.
• The officer fired one shot at the suspect who ducked behind the counter with the clerk still at knifepoint.
• The sheriff’s deputy entered the store when the shot was fired and saw the suspect with the clerk behind the counter; she was still at knifepoint and they were struggling.
• The deputy fired one shot.
• EMTs responded to the scene and found the suspect deceased.
• The clerk is physically unharmed.
• A friend of the clerk’s that was at the E-Z Mart when the incident began placed the 9-1-1- call.
The Oklahoma Office of the State Medical Examiner is on the scene to assist with identifying the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
Next steps: The OSBI investigation is ongoing. Once it is complete, a report will be written and submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review.
There is no additional information to release at this time.
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