Friday, June 3rd 2011, 12:00 am
Michael Konopasek, News 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Concerns are being raised over Tuesday's police chase and shootout on the city's northwest side.
The chase was over a stolen SUV which resulted in an exchange of gun fire in a residential neighborhood.
Witnesses say bullets and shell casings littered N.W. 62nd after Tuesday's shootout. No innocent people were hit, but residents in the neighborhood are wondering if a stolen SUV was worth all the drama.
Michael Wilson witnessed the chase over his stolen SUV and described the scene where shots were fired.
"People [were} looking out at their windows and they [see] holes in their windows from these bullets," Wilson said. "There could be some innocent people that could have died. People were having to run away basically"
It was a chase that started when Wilson spotted two men in his SUV near 53rd and Meridian. He called the Oklahoma City Police, who picked up the pursuit. Then, the chase and gun fire began.
"These were loud shots," said witness Lauren Bennett. "Luckily there was not anyone in the street."
Police say one of the suspects in the stolen vehicle began shooting at officers. Witnesses say that is when officers returned fire.
Bullet holes can be found along N.W. 62nd where residents are concerned and some are in disbelief.
"I just can't believe that they were doing a shootout here in the neighborhood over a stolen car," a resident who asked not to be identified told News 9. "That's crazy."
The unidentified woman says she doesn't think police should have continued a chase with guns blazing over stolen property. One of those bullets is now lodged in her van. She says her concern is for innocent bystanders.
"I have kids," said the woman. "My sister would have been here at that time with my nieces and nephews. It would have been very dangerous to them."
In the end, the now-deceased suspect was the only person hit by a bullet which is leaving residents along 62nd counting their blessings.
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