Two are dead following an officer-involved shooting that shut down portions of I-44 in Ottawa County.
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the incident began after the Quapaw Nation Marshals Service was notified about a stolen vehicle from Joplin. Officers located the vehicle at Downstream Casino and Resort shortly after 9:00am. Authorities say the male driver fled, leading law enforcement from multiple agencies on a pursuit through the Miami area. During the chase, investigators say the suspect pulled a gun, and officers learned an adult female was also inside the vehicle.
The pursuit ended when the suspect drove eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-44. After traffic was stopped, the vehicle came to a halt and both occupants exited. The OSBI says the man again pulled out a gun and did not comply with officers' commands, leading to an officer-involved shooting. Both the male driver and female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or other individuals were injured. The OSBI is leading the investigation and will submit its findings to prosecutors once the case is complete. The identities of those involved have not yet been released.
