A robbery suspect was shot and killed by an Oklahoma City police officer after he tried to escape from police custody Thursday morning at Norman Regional Hospital.
The escapee, Eldon Cooksey, was the suspect in a series of violent home-invasion robberies, said Capt. Jeffrey Becker of the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Becker said OKCPD has been investigating a series of violent robberies in the Oklahoma City area.
According to police reports, Cooksey attempted to rob a woman at knifepoint on Tuesday. The woman was able to wrest the knife away from Cooksey and stabbed him before he escaped. That afternoon, he checked into Norman Regional Hospital for treatment.
Robbery detectives were notified and Cooksey was placed under arrest. He remained in the hospital under 24-hour guard. A little before 9:50 on Thursday morning, he was released from the hospital.
"The guard was transferring the suspect to the Oklahoma City jail," Becker said. "As he was escorting him to the scout car, the suspect saw an opportunity to escape. He ran from the emergency room across the street to this parking lot," he said, noting the Physicians and Surgeons North building parking lot less than 100 yards from the exit.
Becker pointed out a dark maroon Chevrolet Impala being examined by police investigators.
"An elderly man was trying to leave in that Impala," Becker said. According to the police report, the man was sitting in the driver's seat. Cooksey forced himself into the passenger's seat and a struggle ensued, with Cooksey trying to put the car into gear and drive away.
Chris Shubert pursued Cooksey and shouted at him to stop. When Cooksey ignored him, Shubert fired at the car, killing Cooksey.
The victim of the attempted carjacking was unhurt.
OKCPD is conducting an investigation in conjunction with the Norman Police Department.
The shooting and the events leading up to it will be scrutinized, as will the robberies that Cooksey is suspected of committing.
Officer Shubert will be on paid administrative leave until the end of the investigation.
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