Welfare Check Leads To Deadly Altercation In SE OKC

A welfare check led to a deadly altercation Sunday night when police say a man attacked an officer checking on him.

This officer was checking on a man who was found lying in the grass when he attacked. 

"The suspect then turned and punched her in the face," Oklahoma City police Capt. Bo Mathews said.

Police said the fight escalated over a span of several minutes as the officer put her training to use before resorting to deadly force. 

"She utilized her pepper spray, escalated to a Taser, and, ultimately, she had to use her firearm," Mathews said.

Police said the officer pulled her gun only after the suspect was able to wrestle her Taser away and tried to turn it on her. Before he could, the officer fired her weapon and fatally shot him. 

The suspect died at the scene and the officer was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries to her face and hands. 

The deceased man was identified as Kyle Anthony Mihecoby, 28. The officer was identified as Bethany Sears.

Police said Sears, who has two years of service with the department, was wearing a bodycam but it was knocked off her during the scuffle. They are unsure if the bodycam captured the incident.