Teen Accused Of Shooting OKC Police Officer To Be Tried As Adult

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A teenager accused of taking part in the shooting of an Oklahoma City police officer will face life in prison.

A judge ruled Friday 17-year-old Alex Mercado can be tried as an adult. Mercado, along with his mother Vilma Escalante and brother Hector Escalante, is accused of shooting Officer Katie Lawson last year.

Lawson was hit several times but has recovered. The suspects were upset because police arrested Mercado's father, Hector Mercado-Castellenos, during a traffic stop.

Investigators believe while Vilma Escalante pleaded with the Oklahoma County Deputy to release her husband, her sons were ambushing Officer Lawson.

Mercado-Castellenos, from Honduras, was recently sentenced to serve 16 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to unlawful reentry into the United States after he was deported in 2004 following a felony conviction. The 42-year-old was not involved in the shooting of Officer Lawson.

Officer Lawson received the Devon Energy Community Hero Award during an Oklahoma City Thunder game against the Orlando Magic for her bravery.