OSBI: Man Killed After Holding Oklahoma Game Warden's Head Under Water

After being asked to produce his fishing license, a man held an Oklahoma game warden's head under water and the game warden shot and killed him, a news release says.

OSBI says approximately 11:10 a.m. on Sunday, a state wildlife officer was in the Bunch area, which is near Cookson Hills, and he asked three people to present their fishing licenses. It was discovered one of the people had an Arkansas warrant for his arrest for a parole violation, the news release says.

As the game warden attempted to take the man in custody, the man reportedly began to fight with him, and both men fell into a pond. OSBI says the suspect held the game warden's head under water, until he had to fight his way above water to shoot the man.

The man died at the scene, OSBI says. His name will be released upon notification of next of kin. The game warden was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has asked the OSBI to investigate, along with the Adair County Sheriff's Office. Agents and officers are interviewing witnesses and processing the scene, OSBI says.

OSBI will forward the findings of its investigation to the Adair County district attorney, who will determine whether the shooting was justified.