A suspect and his girlfriend have been located by authorities following a reported shooting last Tuesday at Sallisaw Creek.
Sallisaw Police Chief Terry Franklin said Jimmy J. Johnson, 29, of Gans, and his girlfriend, Andrea D. Lasiter, 37, of Vian, were both found last Wednesday, and a second man has been arrested for aiding Johnson in escaping arrest.
Sallisaw Police officer Jarett Cannon reported just after 7 p.m. last Tuesday he was dispatched to Sallisaw City Creek regarding an intoxicated male firing multiple shots from a pistol.
The reporting party told Cannon that Johnson was allegedly intoxicated and having suicidal tendencies, and that Lasiter was with him.
At the scene, a witness said that Johnson had a 9mm and was by the water. Cannon said he attempted to make contact with the suspect, but the area was heavily wooded, which made it hard to see clearly, so he waited and called for backup.
According to the incident report, another witness told authorities that Johnson had allegedly shot himself in the neck and was in the water. Cannon said police attempted to locate Johnson to render first aid but after searching the area, nor Johnson or Lasiter could be located.
Cannon said Johnson’s father, Jimmy A. Johnson, arrived and tried to make contact with Jimmy J. Johnson, and after being asked to stay back several times, he was detained for safety reasons.
Cherokee Nation Marshal Service supplied a drone to try and locate the suspects and were able to pick up a heat signature from a building in the area about 50 feet in front of the officers.
Authorities then split up into three groups to try and locate Johnson and Lasiter, but were unsuccessful, according to the incident report.
The Marshal Service also attempted to ping Lasiter’s phone, and once it was dark, they brought in more drones to help with the search.
After police spoke with Jimmy A. Johnson, he denied having any contact with Jimmy J. Johnson, but after being confronted, he reportedly admitted to texting his son and informing him of the drone and telling him to turn off his phone.
Other witnesses told authorities that Johnson’s mother requested a ride to Sallisaw Creek, stating that “her son was going to shoot himself.”
The witness said Johnson’s mother got out of a vehicle and ran toward Johnson, when he reportedly fired the weapon and started yelling. The witness said when they called 911, Johnson was allegedly holding the pistol and firing another round.
The mother claimed Johnson fired the gun into the water, according to the incident report, and then they struggled with Johnson in an attempt to take the gun away from him, which caused the gun to go off again during the struggle.
Jimmy A. Johnson was placed under arrest and transported to the Sequoyah County Detention Center.
Because he is a tribal member, his charge of harboring criminal/fugitive has been turned over to the Cherokee Nation.
A warrant was then requested for Jimmy J. Johnson’s arrest on the charge of felon in possession of a firearm.
