Newly released drone footage from the Oklahoma City Police Department shows the dramatic ending of an hours-long armed standoff in Oklahoma City after officers responded to a domestic disturbance involving a man carrying a rifle.
Police say the suspect, Charles Henry Jr., was eventually taken into custody after hiding behind a backyard shed while armed.
Domestic Disturbance Led to Armed Standoff
According to police, officers were first called to a neighborhood around 5:30 p.m. on April 8 after reports of a domestic disturbance.
When officers arrived, they found Charles Henry Jr. sitting inside a truck parked on the street.
Valerie Littlejohn said officers initially tried to communicate with Henry peacefully.
However, the situation quickly escalated.
Police say Henry got out of the truck carrying a rifle and walked toward a nearby residence.
Officer Opened Fire After Rifle Was Pointed
Investigators said Henry pointed the rifle toward responding officers during the confrontation.
At that moment, one officer fired his weapon at Henry.
Officials confirmed:
| Standoff Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | April 8 |
| Initial call | Domestic disturbance |
| Suspect armed with | Rifle |
| Officer fired weapon | Yes |
| Suspect injured | No |
| Officers injured | No |
Police said Henry was not hit by the officer’s gunfire and did not fire any shots himself.
Drone Video Shows Suspect Hiding Behind Shed
After the confrontation, Henry reportedly ran into a neighbouring backyard and hid behind a shed while still carrying the rifle.
Drone footage later released by police showed the suspect’s location during the standoff.
According to Captain Littlejohn:
“He was still armed with the rifle and appeared prepared to fire at anyone who approached.”
Because of the danger, officers evacuated nearby homes in the area to protect residents.
Tactical Unit and Robot Used During Standoff
The Oklahoma City Police Department’s tactical unit responded to assist during the lengthy standoff.
Police eventually used a tactical robot to confront Henry safely without putting officers directly in danger.
Drone footage showed the moment Henry finally surrendered by dropping to the ground before officers moved in and detained him.
The standoff lasted several hours before ending peacefully.
Charles Henry Jr. Arrested and Charged
After his arrest, Henry was booked into the Cleveland County Jail.
Authorities charged him with:
- Three counts of feloniously pointing a firearm
Police have not yet released additional details about the original domestic disturbance call.
Officer Placed on Administrative Leave
The officer who fired his weapon during the confrontation has been placed on routine administrative leave.
Police departments commonly place officers on leave after officer-involved shootings while investigations are conducted.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Nobody Injured During the Incident
Despite the dangerous situation, officials confirmed that nobody was injured during the standoff.
Police say the use of tactical resources, evacuations, and drone technology helped prevent the situation from becoming more serious.
Drone Technology Becoming More Common in Police Operations
The release of the drone footage also highlights how law enforcement agencies increasingly use drones during dangerous incidents.
Police drones can help officers:
| Drone Uses in Police Operations | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Track armed suspects | Reduce officer risk |
| Monitor standoff locations | Improve tactical planning |
| Assist evacuations | Protect civilians |
| Provide aerial surveillance | Increase visibility |
Departments across the United States have expanded drone programs in recent years for both emergency response and investigations.
