Police in Oklahoma City are reporting the details of a shooting that occurred at Will Rogers Airport. Witnesses say that the victim, identified as Southwest Airlines employee Michael Winchester, was shot in front of a ticket counter. The victim is the father of Kansas City Chiefs’ player James Winchester. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injury.
Police searched the airport and discovered what appears to be a sniper’s nest in a nearby parking garage. The suspect’s body was found in the back of a pickup truck that was parked inside of the parking garage — dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. People at the airport were told to shelter in place and all flights were canceled to and from the Will Rogers Airport. An exception was made for the plane carrying prisoners for a federal transfer that was allowed to land. The FBI has taken over the investigation, and the bomb squad and tactical team are on the scene. The airport is no longer an active shooter situation but police are still conducting a sweep of the area. Will Rogers World Airport tweeted that police believe the shooting is an isolated incident, but precautionary measures are being taken until further notice.
According to airport spokeswoman Karen Carney Southwest, American, Delta, United and Alaska airlines each have terminals at the airport on the city’s southwest side, and 7,000 to 8,000 travelers pass through the facility daily.
Southwest Airlines released the following statement:
“It is with great sorrow that Southwest Airlines confirms that a Southwest Employee who was injured during a shooting incident today at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City has died from injuries. We continue to work with the local authorities investigating this incident. As a result of the police investigation, local flight operations have been halted. We’re working to accommodate Customers still in the airport when it was locked down as well as canceling flights departing from Oklahoma City for the remainder of the day. The Southwest Airlines Family is deeply saddened by the passing of our Southwest family member, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies and support to his family and Southwest Co-workers at this time.”
