Trooper Involved In Fatal Shooting Of Car Theft Suspect Placed On Paid Leave

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol released the name of the trooper involved in the pursuit and shooting death of a man near Pryor Thursday.

OHP said seven-year veteran, Trooper Shawn Cummings fired his weapon at suspected car thief, Dustin Shirrel, 30, killing him.

The Highway Patrol reported Thursday that as many as three officers from OHP, the Mayes County Sheriff's Office, and the Grand River Dam Authority Police had opened fire on Shirrel.

OHP said Shirrel and 32-year-old Claudia Taylor, from Tahlequah, led police on a chase in a stolen car.

The chase ended just south of Pryor and Shirrel fled into the woods. OHP said the officers shot at Shirrel when he pointed a gun at them.

Trooper Cummings is on routine, paid leave while the OSBI investigates the shooting.

9/13/2012 Related Story: Police Chase Ends With One Person Shot, Killed Near Pryor