OKC Police Release Sketch of Serial Kidnapping, Sexual Assault Suspect

Ed Murray, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City police released a sketch of a man suspected in a series of kidnappings and sexual assaults of children.

Officers said a 12-year-old girl was taken at gunpoint near Taft Middle School on Friday. She was sexually assaulted and then dropped off.

Police said they believe the attack is related to two others earlier this year, one in April and the other in September. The girls told police in all three cases they were picked up, either on their way to or walking home from school.

"The reason that they believe that they could possibly be related, is basically the method in which the suspect is operating, what he's doing, what he's saying in these crimes," said Oklahoma Cit Police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow.

Police attempted to talk to Larry Kirby as a person of interest in connection to the September attack, but he committed suicide before police were able to confirm or clear him as a suspect.

Police described the suspect from the latest attack as a white male, about 6'2" tall, slender build, with a left scar on his cheek and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and dirty jeans. He was last seen driving a silver or white, four-door car.

Police said with a gun and children involved, they want the man off the street fast.

"Well this is obviously a very, very dangerous man. We want the public, like I said, to take a close look at this sketch. Anybody that might hear something or see something, nothing is too small to contact us and pass along to our investigators," Wardlow said.

The Oklahoma City Public School District sent a letter home to parents outlining the best ways to keep their kids safe.

"There's someone out there that is preying on children and it's our job as a school district to talk to the parents, talk to the students and get that message about walking in groups. If you see something suspicious or unusual, to notify a trusted adult," said Kathleen Kennedy, Oklahoma City Public Schools Executive Director Communications.

District officials said they working closely with police to educate principals in all areas on safety and to get the message out.

"We're also going to have our teachers during the course of this week talk to kids about the same messages so that they're hearing it in multiple places, and they know that this is a serious message and that it's very important that they hear what we're telling them and also practice what we're telling them," Kennedy said.

Anyone with information on the crimes should call police at 405-297-1500.