Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND
February 25, 2009 04:11 pm
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Investigators are trying to find out why an 18-year-old Edmond man fled amid gunshots when an officer stopped to check on him, police said.
At about 4:45 a.m. Wednesday at the northwest corner of the I-35 Frontage Road and 33rd Street, an Edmond officer came across a parked silver 2001 Honda Acura, said Glynda Chu, spokeswoman for the Edmond Police Department.
Chu said the officer went to check on the driver, later identified as Joseph Dylan Janis, 18, of Edmond. At some point, the officer called for police back up, and he and the suspect were scuffling in the suspect’s car when the other officer arrived.
One of the officers felt the situation was sufficiently under control and stepped out of the suspect’s car. The suspect floored the vehicle, dragging an officer several feet. Several shots were fired.
The suspect sped off, and Edmond Police called other area departments for assistance.
Police learned the suspect was using his cell phone, and Janis was arrested about five hours later at an apartment complex parking lot in Harrah.
Chu said the suspect, who had blood on his clothing, was taken into custody without incident, and he was transported with two gunshot wounds in his shoulder to Presbyterian Hospital.
The officer who fired the shots was taken to a metro hospital and was being evaluated for the injuries he received, Chu said. The officer who was dragged by the suspect’s car was treated and released at the scene.
As of mid-day Wednesday police were not sure why the suspect fled from the scene, Chu said. It was fortunate that this incident occurred early in the morning in an unpopulated area, she said.
Chu urged anyone who is stopped by police to cooperate and not put themselves or officers in any unnecessary danger.
Chu said the officers’ identities may be released on Thursday. She said anytime there is an officer involved shooting, the incident is reviewed by the Police Department.
Chu said Janis was arrested on complaints of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, and other complaints are pending.
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