A dramatic series of events unfolded in Oklahoma City, leading to the fatal shooting of a woman involved in a high-speed chase. The encounter began when Sandra Strampher-Perry, 72, approached a man with a gun, sparking a chain of events that escalated into a deadly confrontation with law enforcement.
Key Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Sandra Strampher-Perry, 72, approached a man with a gun and later engaged in a high-speed chase. |
| Witness | Dillon Slaine, a Deer Creek man, described his encounter with the woman before the chase began. |
| Chase | Authorities pursued Strampher-Perry across Oklahoma City after she fled the scene in a pickup truck. |
| Officer-Involved Shooting | After crashing her vehicle and attempting to flee, Strampher-Perry was shot and killed by officers. |
| Injuries | One civilian was injured during the crash. No officers were harmed. |
| Investigation | The investigation is ongoing and involves multiple law enforcement agencies. |
The Unexpected Encounter
Dillon Slaine, the first person to encounter Sandra Strampher-Perry, described his initial thoughts when he saw a woman standing near his pickup truck. At first, Slaine believed she might have been confused or needed assistance.
However, the situation quickly took a dangerous turn when she pulled out a gun.
“Once I said hello, she just looked around and pointed a gun at me,” Slaine said, recalling the encounter. “I just stood there with my hands up.”
Strampher-Perry then asked him if he knew where “Garth” was, which Slaine speculates might have been a reference to country music singer Garth Brooks, an Oklahoma native.
Slaine managed to convince Strampher-Perry to walk away from the area, and security camera footage later confirmed that she left the scene. Afterward, Slaine ran inside, grabbed a firearm for protection, and called the police.
The High-Speed Chase
After the initial encounter, Strampher-Perry fled in a pickup truck, prompting authorities to begin a pursuit that stretched across parts of Oklahoma City. The chase involved multiple agencies, including Oklahoma County deputies, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Oklahoma City police officers.
At one point, a deputy attempted a tactical vehicle intervention near Northwest 150th Street and Portland Avenue, but Strampher-Perry rammed a patrol vehicle and continued fleeing.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol eventually performed another intervention near Interstate 44 and Southwest 59th Street, but Strampher-Perry crashed into another vehicle, injuring at least one civilian.
The Fatal Shooting
After the crash, police say Strampher-Perry pointed a pistol at officers. In response, officers and troopers opened fire, killing her at the scene.
A total of four Oklahoma City police officers, five Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers, and two Oklahoma County deputies discharged their weapons during the confrontation.
Fortunately, no law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
Ongoing Investigation
Due to the involvement of multiple agencies, authorities have stated that the investigation will take time to complete. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is handling the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
“I just wish it probably would have ended better,” said Slaine. “You can’t always control what people do or their state of mind.”
The tragic events surrounding Sandra Strampher-Perry’s high-speed chase and the officer-involved shooting serve as a reminder of the volatility of confrontations involving law enforcement. While the investigation is ongoing, the actions of Strampher-Perry and the subsequent police response will continue to be scrutinized.
