Okmulgee police officer shot, suspect on the loose
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — A search underway in Okmulgee for a man who shot an Okmulgee Police officer.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says the officer was shot while responding to a burglary in progress near E 2nd and N Central St in Okmulgee.
Okmulgee police received a call just before 2 a.m. on Thursday, when they arrived to the scene, one officer approached the front of the house, while the other went around the back.
The officer in the back of the home was ambushed by the suspect and shot once below the waist.
He was taken Saint Francis hospital in Tulsa to receive care, and has since been released.
During the exchange, the officer did fire back, but authorities cannot confirm if the suspect was injured.
The suspect fled the scene heading westbound on foot.
The suspect involved is believed to be 34 year old Christopher Alfred Harris, a 5’9”, bald, black male.
He is reported to have some form of relationship with the homeowners, but OSBI declined to elaborate.
Harris is reportedly armed with an AK47 and dangerous.
“There’s about 30 officers, law-enforcement personnel, searching for this individual," Gerald Davidson, Oklahoma State bureau of investigation, said. "Those agencies are, of course, the Okmulgee Police Department, Creek nation Lighthorse, police district task force 25, the FBI, US marshal office and the Oklahoma highway patrol."
Davidson adds, "the search area, there is no defined perimeter at this time."
While authorities search for the suspect, Okmulgee businesses are running as usual.
One business owner said they are familiar with Harris and he's known to have a criminal history.
With Harris on the run, the school district has asked students not to come to summer school or the feeding program out of concerns for their safety, and OSBU reminds residents to be aware of their surroundings.
If you spot him or have more information, you are asked to call 911 immediately.