Suspect Arrested After Firing Shots During Chase In NW OKC

Oklahoma City police have arrested a suspect who reportedly fired shots at officers during a pursuit near Penn Square Mall Thursday morning.

Police identified the suspect as 23-year-old Justin Brown.

Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow with the OKCPD told News 9 that the incident started at about 8:30 a.m. as a welfare check at 1220 N.W. 3rd Street. One person reported seeing a man, later identified as Brown, sleeping in his vehicle with a firearm in his lap. 

When officers walked up to Brown's car, they said they saw a gun in his hand, resting on his lap. Police said he wouldn't get out and said something along the lines of "I want to die today, you're going to have to kill me today," before taking off and starting a chase at more than 60 mph.

During that pursuit, police said Brown weaved in and out of traffic and fired multiple rounds at pursuing officers. At least one police car was hit with gunfire. Thankfully, no officers were struck by the gunfire. 

The chase ended up in the parking lot of Penn Square Mall where Brown pointed his gun toward at least one female victim as she walked through the parking lot, according to police. Shortly after, Brown crashed his vehicle into a portable storage unit east of the mall and was taken into custody.

Brown was taken to get checked out for any crash injuries before being taken to jail. Police said they never fired at Brown and no one was hurt.

While investigating this incident, detectives learned that Brown was also involved in a separate hit-and-run incident on June 13 near Broadway Extension and Wilshire Blvd.

Brown is facing numerous charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, pointing a firearm and felony attempt to elude.