WELLSTON, Okla. (AP) — The Latest on the search for an man accused of wounding two police officers (all times local):
4 a.m. Thursday
The search for an Oklahoma man wanted in a cross-state string of killings, shootings and carjackings is entering its fourth day, and authorities say they have no idea where the suspect may be.
Michael Dale Vance Jr. is wanted on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder for the near-decapitations of two relatives in the town of Luther that Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel described as “rage killings.”
The 38-year-old Vance was last seen early Monday about 30 miles from the Texas border in western Oklahoma. Whetsel says by now, Vance could be anywhere from California to Florida.
Whetsel says it’s also possible that Vance has died if he hasn’t received medical treatment for a gunshot wound he suffered during a shootout with police in Wellston on Sunday.
1:45 p.m. Wednesday
An Oklahoma sheriff says a man suspected of killing two relatives and shooting two police officers during a violent rampage could be hundreds of miles away in another state or even another country.
Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel told The Associated Press on Wednesday that 38-year-old Michael Vance could be “anywhere from California to Mexico to Florida.” Whetsel says it’s also possible Vance died if he hasn’t received medical treatment since being wounded during a shootout with police in Wellston on Sunday.
Whetsel says the last known sighting of Vance was about 2:30 a.m. Monday at a convenience store in the far western Oklahoma town of Sayre. Authorities say he shot a man in the leg while trying to steal a vehicle in the town that’s about 30 miles from the Texas border.
10:15 a.m.
Authorities say an Oklahoma man suspected of killing two relatives and shooting two police officers during a violent rampage may be planning to target people connected to a criminal case against him.
Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Opgrande says 38-year-old Michael Vance referenced some potential targets during videos he posted live on Facebook while on the run from police.
In one video, Vance mentions the name of a woman and says she knew that he would get his guns and come for her.
Opgrande says some of the people authorities fear may be targeted are connected to a pending criminal case against Vance that alleges he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl.
Opgrande says authorities have warned several people to take precautions while the manhunt for Vance continues.
6:40 a.m.
An Oklahoma police officer says he engaged in a “firefight” Sunday with a man later accused in the killing of two relatives and several carjackings.
Wellston Police Officer Jim Hampton is one of two officers who were wounded in the encounter with Michael Vance, who remains on the run. Hampton tells Oklahoma City television station KOCO that he shot Vance twice as they responded to a shots fired call in their area, about 35 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Hampton says that at one point, he and Vance were facing each other and shooting. Hampton was shot in the foot but has been released from the hospital. A second officer was shot and is also expected to recover.
Hampton says he hopes Vance is apprehended soon, adding: “It’s not safe out there until he’s caught.”
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The Oklahoma County sheriff says Michael Vance, the man wanted since Sunday in a string of violent crimes including two homicides, had a hit list targeting several more people.
Sheriff John Whetsel told The Oklahoman on Tuesday that authorities are “extremely concerned about those he may have indicated that he wishes harm to” and noted that the list was mostly people from outside of the county.
— Okla. Highway Patrol (@OHPtraffic) October 24, 2016
Authorities say the 38-year-old Vance posted live videos to social media during a violent rampage on Sunday that included the shooting of two police officers, armed car thefts and the killing of two relatives.
Whetsel also said that law enforcement is providing protection for the people on the alleged hit list.
The FBI is coordinating the search for Vance, who was last seen in western Oklahoma.
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Oklahoma authorities are still looking for a man who they say posted live videos to social media during a violent crime spree that included the shooting of two police officers, armed car thefts and the killing of his aunt and uncle.
An arrest warrant including two counts of first-degree murder has been issued for 38-year-old Michael Dale Vance Jr. of Chandler, Oklahoma. He’s been wanted for more than 24 hours.
Oklahoma County authorities say they believe Vance shot and wounded two police officers Sunday night and then posted Facebook Live videos documenting his run from police. Police say he then drove to the home of his aunt and uncle and killed them.
In one of the videos, a man wearing a blood-stained shirt pans to a long gun and says: “This is real.”
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9:20 a.m.
An Oklahoma City television station is reporting that a man accused of shooting two Oklahoma police officers has been posting live videos while on the run.
TV station KWTV reports that Michael Vance posted two videos Sunday night on Facebook Live. The Associated Press couldn’t immediately verify the videos. The Lincoln County Oklahoma sheriff hasn’t returned a message Monday morning regarding the videos. See the video here. (caution very graphic)
In one video, a man wearing a backward baseball cap says he’s about to steal another vehicle and it’s “gonna be intense.” In another, the same man says: “Letting y’all know, look, this is real” before showing a long gun on the passenger seat.
He says: “If you want to know what’s up next, stay tuned to your local news.”
Vance is a suspect in the shooting of two Wellston police officers Sunday night and in a double slaying in Oklahoma County.
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WELLSTON, Okla. (AP) — Authorities are searching for a man suspected in a double slaying and accused of shooting and wounding two police officers near Oklahoma City.
The Lincoln County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office says the officers were shot Sunday night as they responded to a report of shots fired in the town of Wellston, 35 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. The sheriff’s office says they are recovering from their injuries.
The sheriff’s office says one person was arrested but that a second suspect, Michael Vance, stole a patrol car and remains missing.
— Okla. Highway Patrol (@OHPtraffic) October 24, 2016
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says authorities believe Vance is driving a silver 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse with an Oklahoma license plate of 943LQQ.
The sheriff in neighboring Oklahoma County said on Twitter that Vance is a suspect in two deaths in Oklahoma County, but no further details have been released.