Two officers on paid administrative leave after shooting death

SALLISAW, Oklahoma — Two Sallisaw police officers are on paid administrative leave following the fatal shooting Sunday night of a suspect in the parking lot of the Northeastern Health Systems-Sequoyah.

An officer stopped a silver Ford Focus driven by Jonathan Duane Atchley, 37,  in the hospital parking lot for a defective vehicle. The officer then discovered Atchley had an active warrant for his arrest at the time. Atchley’s last known address was in Gans, Oklahoma, southeast of Sallisaw.

 

Atchley began physically assaulting the officer. A second officer arrived shortly after to assist. Atchley then began fighting with the second officer.

At some point after that second physical altercation, the first officer shot Atchley. Atchley was treated at Northeastern Health Systems hospital, but he died from the gunshot wound.

The Sallisaw Police Department requested OSBI agents investigate the officer-involved shooting. Several agents arrived on scene to interview witnesses, collect evidence, and document the scene. When the investigation is complete, OSBI agents will present a comprehensive, written report to the district attorney. The district attorney will determine if the shooting was justified.