(Cushing, Okla.) – On Saturday, November 19, 2011, 5:46 p.m., Cushing police were summoned to the 2300 blk E. Main Street, after a man was shot while driving his pickup. The victim was later taken to the Cushing Regional Airport by the Cushing Fire Department E.M.S., and then flown to a Tulsa area hospital by Air Evac. The victim, an 18 year old rural Yale resident, was treated and released from the hospital late Saturday evening. The victim was formally interviewed by Detective Adam Harp Sunday. Police have concluded the shooting was an accident.
During the initial investigation, police identified Mannford resident Jerry Dale Bennett, 19 years old, as a person of interest after the shooting occurred because he left the scene before police arrived. Bennett was brought to the police department by family members. Bennett was questioned by police, and later jailed on an outstanding Payne County warrant for failure to appear. In addition, Glencoe resident Richard Earl Michael, WM, 20 years old, was also arrested by Cushing police for Obstruction and booked into the Cushing jail. Both Bennett and Michael were passengers in the pickup being driven by the victim at the time of the shooting.
“I appreciate the work on this case by Detective Adam Harp, Sgt. Charles Claxton, MPO Randy Evans, MPO Justin Sappington, Officer Matthew Piatt and Officer Rachel Hentges,” Chief Terry Brannon said. “Until we were able to establish that this was in fact an accidental shooting, we were not going to presume anything,” he said. “This team of officers did a very good job working together to serve the needs of our victim until we were able to determine this was an accident.” Brannon said. “I also want to thank the Bennett family for bringing Jerry to the police department, which was very helpful to our investigative team, once our alert was sent out.”
Monday morning, Detective Adam Harp spoke with the Payne County District Attorney Tom Lee, advising him of our investigative findings. Once all of the reports related to this investigation are completed, they will be formally submitted to the Payne County D.A.’s Office.
“I cannot emphasize importance of gun safety,” Deputy Chief Tully Folden said. “The victim in this incident was very fortunate,” he said. “It only takes one accidental shooting to turn a family’s world upside down, so make gun safety a first priority whether at home, hunting, or as in this instance, riding in a vehicle,” Folden said.
Have information about a crime? See something out of the ordinary in your neighborhood? Connect with us! To leave an anonymous “CRIME TIP” go to www.CushingPD.com. and click on crime tip. You can also text the word “CUSHING” to 274637 (CRIMES) to send an anonymous crime tip.
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