Oklahoma authorities find suspect in officer shooting

WEBBERS FALLS, Okla. — A man suspected of shooting a police officer in Muskogee County has been located by authorities and is now being treated in a New Mexico hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Grants Police Department in New Mexico. 

On behalf of the Webber Falls Police Department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) activated a Blue Alert for Billy Wayne Williams on March 16. Authorities began searching for Williams after he allegedly shot an officer during a traffic stop and fled the scene. 

According to Hunter McKee with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), the incident began on Sunday around 5:45 p.m. in Webber Falls near Lynch Street and North Smith Street when an officer pulled Williams over for speeding. McKee said the stop was routine until Williams opened fire on the officer. Williams then fled the scene, and the injured officer was transported to a nearby hospital with an apparent gunshot wound to the facial area. Authorities told KOTV that the officer is expected to survive. 

Early Monday morning, officers with the Grants Police Department (GPD) in New Mexico received a tip from OHP to be on the lookout for Williams, who was believed to be driving a Nissan Altima. GPD said officers located the vehicle, which was occupied by Williams, in a Wal-Mart parking lot. 

As officers from multiple agencies — including GPD, the Milan Police Department, the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Mexico State Police — tried to make contact with Williams, they heard a single gunshot. Authorities later determined that Williams had reportedly shot himself.

Officers approached Williams and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition. He has since been transferred to the FBI’s custody.

Blue Alerts, which are used in 37 states across the United States, are issued to aid in the apprehension of a person who is suspected of killing or seriously injuring an officer in the line of duty. 

OSBI is investigating the shooting involving the Webber Falls officer. 

5NEWS will update this article as more information is released.