OHP Investigating Trooper-Involved Shooting in Tahlequah

(TAHLEQUAH, Okla.) On Wednesday at approximately 12:28 p.m., the US Marshals Eastern District Fugitive Task Force requested the assistance of Troop C troopers in performing a traffic stop of a vehicle containing a possible suspect involved in a shooting incident in the city of Fort Gibson last week. This subject also had an outstanding felony warrant in Wagoner county as well as active warrants in Muskogee and Cherokee counties. Troopers located the vehicle and attempted to perform a traffic stop. The driver failed to yield and a short pursuit ensued. The vehicle stopped in the middle of the roadway on State Highway 51 near West Allen Road in the city limits of Tahlequah. The front seat passenger (the subject with the felony warrant) exited the vehicle and began to flee the scene on foot. While fleeing, the suspect presented a handgun and discharged at least one round at law enforcement, resulting in shots being fired by two troopers, task force officers, and a deputy. The suspect was struck by gunfire, resulting in his death. No law enforcement officers were injured during the encounter.

There were two people in the vehicle during the pursuit. The female driver was detained and subsequently released. The passenger has been identified as James Gilbert Thomson, Jr. DOB 12-16-1989. Trooper Stacy Howze and Trooper Matthew Williams have both been placed on routine administrative leave while Troop Z investigates the incident.