Pink Residents Have Mixed Emotions About Deputy-Involved Shooting

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

PINK, Oklahoma -- More than 24 hours following a deputy-involved shooting, residents who live near the town of Pink in Pottawatomie County are expressing mixed emotions. Some saying what happened was no surprise, while others said it has changed the way they live.

Tommy Morrison and his boys like it out in the rural, secluded area of Pottawatomie County.

"We never really have any major problems out here," Morrison said.

One would think Wednesday night's shootout between a sheriff's deputy and a gunman would have been a surprise for the Morrisons, especially since the gunfire erupted less than a mile away from their home, but that wasn't the case.

"With everything going on now days with people being stressed out and people doing things it just seems to be part of the norm," Morrison said.

His neighbor, Carol, just down the road wasn't so sure.

"I was very surprised, very surprised," Carol said.

Carol just moved to the area a week ago and said news of a deputy being shot during a traffic stop is big city news and not news she ever expected.

"It's so quiet out here. Since we been here, we've heard nothing. Nothing at all," Carol said.

Meanwhile, the search is on for the three men who took off in a truck after one of them shot Pottawatomie County Deputy Joe Leeds multiple times during a traffic stop.

"I began feeling a burning sensation in my right arm. I looked down and noticed I had holes in my t-shirt, and that's when I realized I had been struck by some bullets," Leeds said.

Deputy Leeds' was wearing a bullet proof vest. Without it, he said he likely wouldn't be here.

Deputy Leeds said that wasn't the first time he has been shot at, but it was the first time in his career he had been hit.

The suspect's truck is a red, early 90s model extended cab pick-up and did not have a license plate.

More:

• Pottawatomie County Deputy Credits Vest for Saving Life
• Pottawatomie Co. Deputy Shot 4 Times, Manhunt Underway for Suspects