Gunfire Rattles Another Area Town

Gunfire rattles a four state convenience store. Authorities say one man is in critical condition tonight following a shootout with police in Vinita, Oklahoma. The incident happened just before 6 o`clock this evening. Officials in Vinita say a man driving a black Nissan Altima with Florida license plates drove into town and stopped at a local convenience store. When police spotted the out-of-town plates, they ran a routine check and determined it was a stolen vehicle. While inside the Shout & Sack store, the driver of the car pulled out a gun, stole merchandise and a small amount of cash. Jarrett "Buck" Phillips, the store`s clerk, said, "I knew something was suspicious because he was real quiet. He got a six pack of beer, I aksed how he was doing. He didn`t respond, he didn`t say anything." When officers arrived at the scene, police say the suspect was walking back to his car when Craig County Deputies and Vinita Police officials attempted to stop the man. Police say the suspect began firing shots at three Vinita Police officers. According to police, two officers then fired back, finally taking the suspect down. Officials say the suspect had 3 guns, including an Uzi-type weapon and a 38 caliber handgun. Nearly 40 rounds were exchanged. Vinita Police Chief George Hicks said, "We were in the right place at the right time, simply because we`re all going home. It`s an unfortunate situation. He`s at the hospital, and we`re all going home." The Craig County Sheriffs Department was called in to assist. The suspect was taken by helicopter to a Tulsa hospital where he is said to be listed in critical condition. Authorities say they believe the suspect was involved in a homicide in Florida. No officers or bystanders were injured in the shootout. Chief George Hicks says this is the second officer shootout in the town in six months. Hicks says the last shootout involved the very same officer who ran the suspects license plates tonight. Reported by: Ryan Loyd