Officers Describe Difficulty Of Taking Down Fugitive Michael Vance

Eight days after reportedly starting a violent crime spree, the statewide manhunt for a fugitive came to a head Sunday night in western Oklahoma. 

“Michael Vance was our worst case scenario,” said Michael Thompson, state Department of Public Safety commissioner.

The 38-year-old fugitive was accused of killing two family members and shooting and injuring two Wellston police officers, two random victims and the Dewey County sheriff.

“He had no regard for public life and he had nothing to lose,” said Thompson.

He said Vance ended the rampage the exact same way he started it -- with violence. On Sunday night, eight days into the manhunt, a possible sighting of Vance near Hammon became a reality for officers in western Oklahoma.

Trooper Brian Costanza led the chase, right on Vance’s tail, until the end. Dashcam video shows him driving and firing his weapon through his windshield at Vance’s getaway pickup.

Five troopers and one game warden ran toward the fire. Five of them fired their weapons to end the life of Vance.  

“We would like to thank the officer who stuck right behind him. He went above and beyond for justice!” the youngest daughter of victims Ronnie and Kay Wilkson said.