A man was fatally shot at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Police received a call around 1 p.m. reporting shots fired. Officers responded to the shooting and located the victim, Michael Winchester, 52 in the parking lot. Winchester, a Southwest Airlines Employee, was transported to the hospital where he later died.
Captain Paco Balderrama said officers used their tactical units and bomb squad to secure the area. After hours of searching, the suspect was located in a red pickup truck in the parking garage. Police blew out the windows and found the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The suspect has still not been positively identified, partly due to injuries sustained from the gunshot. Police said they believe the suspect is a white male. Balderrama believes this shooting was a premeditated act, but the motive is still unclear and the investigation is ongoing.
A number of flights were delayed as a result of the shooting, with a majority belonging to Southwest Airlines. Balderrama said the police department’s decision to delay flights was a safety measure. Karen Carney, an airport spokeswoman, confirmed in a press conference that approximately 25 flights were canceled. She also said that Southwest Airlines is waiving fees for passengers who had to change their flight.
By Tuesday evening, Balderrama said the airport is starting to resume normal operations but that there is still a partial crime scene:
“We do have a partial crime scene on the second level of the parking garage, that’s where the vehicle is. Keep in mind, this is a crime scene in relation to a homicide and a possible suicide.”
The victim was the father of an NFL Football player, James Winchester, who plays for Kansas City Chiefs. Will Rogers World Airport took to Twitter to express their sorrow over the tragedy:
Our hearts go out to the Winchester and @southwestair families. We’ll never understand why, but please know that we love you. #love pic.twitter.com/meemogCrBW
— Will Rogers Airport (@fly_okc) November 16, 2016
