Police Search For Murder Suspect

Tuesday, July 24th 2007, 8:35 am

By: News On 6

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) _ Authorities surrounded a square-mile area east of Lawton Tuesday where they believe a suspect in the fatal shooting of two children in Tulsa was hiding. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Tuesday morning spotted a man matching the description of Joshua Elijah Muller, 33, near a tree line in the area, said OHP Captain Chris West.

``We think he's out in the woods,'' West said. ``It's pretty easy where we're going to narrow our search to a couple of creek beds and gullies where the trees are.''

Troopers used an airplane and helicopter to patrol the area, and a team of dogs were en route early Tuesday afternoon, West said.

Ken Sue Doerfel, who lives about a half mile from the search area, said heavy rains this year have resulted in heavy vegetation in the area where authorities are searching.

``Last year, there wouldn't have been a blade of grass to hide him, but with all the rain, all the growth is pretty high, pretty tall,'' she said.

``I feel safe, but I've got all the guns loaded.''

Comanche County authorities surrounded a home east of Lawton on Monday where they believe Muller was staying, but he managed to escape before authorities raided the house.

Tulsa Police say Muller is wanted for questioning in a triple shooting early Sunday morning in the parking lot of a Tulsa convenience store.

Derrico Ross, 16, and Leah Harris Fuqua, 12, were pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 3 a.m., said Tulsa Police Sgt. Stephanie Jackson.

Another 12-year-old girl was taken in critical condition to a Tulsa hospital, police said.

All three victims were sitting in a sport utility vehicle outside of a convenience store when they were shot, police said.

Tulsa Police Cpl. Gene Watkins said the shootings may have escalated from an argument that occurred earlier. Watkins said Muller's girlfriend was with the victims when she apparently accused them of stealing her wallet.

Watch the video: Manhunt For Murder Suspect Continues

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