Oklahoma investigators say Spiro officer shot, killed man

SPIRO, Okla. (AP) — A police officer in eastern Oklahoma shot and killed a 20-year-old man who brandished a weapon and fired at the officer, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation reported on Friday.

Damon Dante Henderson was shot and killed on Thursday in the town of Spiro, about 17 miles (27 kilometers) southwest of Fort Smith, Arkansas, the OSBI said in a statement.

The name of the officer was not released.

Police told investigators they began searching for Henderson on Wednesday night after receiving a report of a man brandishing a handgun. He was spotted on Thursday afternoon and fled on foot.

An officer followed in his vehicle, and Henderson stopped, faced the officer, and fired a shot, striking the driver’s door of the vehicle, the OSBI said. The officer returned fire, striking Henderson, who was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital, according to the statement.

The OSBI said that after its investigation is complete, the results will be forwarded to the local district attorney to determine if charges against the officer are warranted.