Officials: Southwest employee shot dead at Oklahoma City airport
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Southwest Airlines confirmed Tuesday afternoon that one of its employees was killed in a shooting outside Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.
Police have locked down the airport and advised those still inside to shelter in place, the Oklahoma City Police Department announced in a tweet.
All arrivals and departures have been suspended, the airport said.
We have closed Will Rogers Airport at this time. If you are inside of the airport, shelter in place until advised otherwise.
— OKC Police Dept (@okcpd) November 15, 2016
Southwest said in a statement released to CBS News that it is working with local authorities investigating the shooting.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies and support to his family and Southwest coworkers at this time,” the company said.
Authorities tell CBS affiliate KOTV that the shooting occurred near a parking garage outside of the Southwest terminal, where a man was found and given medical care. He was transported to a hospital in “emergency condition,” police said. Police confirmed just before 3:30 p.m. the victim had died.
Police sources tell the station investigators have found the suspect dead inside a pickup truck in the parking garage. The suspect has not been identified and police have not said how he died, the station reports.
Police identified the victim as 52-year-old Michael Winchester. Multiple news organizations report he was a former punter for the Sooners, the University of Oklahoma college football team.