AMMON, OKLAHOMA
A fugitive who had been on the run for eight days has died after a shootout with law officers in western Oklahoma.
Michael Vance was killed Sunday night while law enforcement agencies were investigating a possible sighting of him near Hammon.
A chase and shootout ensued when officers were conducting a perimeter search of the area. Dewey County Sheriff Clay Sander was shot in the arm and elbow. He has been taken to a hospital.
News 9 confirmed Monday morning his injuries are not life-threatening.
At about 9:30 p.m., on Highway 34 near the Leedey Rodeo, Sheriff Sander pulled over a flatbed truck because he thought it was dragging something. The driver of that truck turned out to be Vance, which he stole. After shooting Sheriff Sander, Vance drove away.
About half an hour later, Oklahoma Highway Patrol located the truck and Vance, beginning the gunfight that killed Vance. Four troopers were in the shootout and Vance was hit multiple times. No troopers were injured in the shootout.
Vance was accused of killing two relatives in Luther and shooting multiple people including two Wellston police officers in Lincoln County.
Officers were asking residents to be safe and alert while they searched the area.
Vance was on the run from law officers since Oct. 23, leading to a statewide manhunt.
“It’s one of those sad, happy days that our parents are finally at peace,” a daughter of Ronnie and Valerie Kay Wilkson told News 9 after it was reported that Vance was killed.