MIDWEST CITY, Okla. -- A man was shot and killed by a Midwest City police officer Monday afternoon after holding a toddler hostage for more than half an hour inside a grocery store, authorities said.
No names were released Monday.
About 3:10 p.m., a man walked into the dairy section of the Walmart Market, 7520 E Reno Ave., grabbed a 2-year-old girl and held her at knife point, Midwest City Assistant Police Chief Sid Porter said.
The store was evacuated, and officers attempted to get the child from the man, who made unintelligible demands before he held the knife to her throat and began a countdown, at the end of which he pledged to kill the girl, Porter said. Police said there was no connection between the man, the girl or her mother.
The officer fired one shot, which struck and killed the man. The girl was not hurt and was returned safely to her mother, Porter said.
"The officer had no choice. We don't want anything to happen to an innocent bystander," he said.
Porter said it was too early in the investigation to determine whether the man had any past criminal activity or mental health issues.
"It sounds like the officer saved the child's life," said Police Chief Brandon Clabes, who was out of state when the shooting occurred.
The store reopened for business Monday evening.
Copyright 2013 - The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
