Carjacking victim improving after being shot

(OKLAHOMA CITY) - One of several victims of a rash of violent carjackings could be released from the hospital soon, his father said Friday. <br><br>Randy Billingsley, 17, was shot in the chest earlier

Saturday, March 23rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(OKLAHOMA CITY) - One of several victims of a rash of violent carjackings could be released from the hospital soon, his father said Friday.

Randy Billingsley, 17, was shot in the chest earlier this week when he refused to relinquish his vehicle to several attackers outside a southwest Oklahoma City fast-food restaurant.

His condition had been upgraded to good at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center on Friday.

``He's doing real good,'' Timmy Billingsley, the teen's father, told The Daily Oklahoman. ``He's supposed to come home, but they haven't let him out yet.''

The attack on the younger Billingsley came about 24 hours after a 22-year-old postal worker was fatally shot in northwest Oklahoma City as assailants tried to steal his car Tuesday night.

Billingsley and a friend were parked at the restaurant when at least two men approached and demanded his 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass, which is equipped with $850 custom wheels.

According to a witness, the attackers fled in a black Honda Accord that had been parked nearby.

Oklahoma City police have not released any information about the suspects. Police spokesman Sgt. Charlie Phillips said the cases do not appear to be related.

Timmy Billingsley, however, believes the same people did both crimes.

``I think it's the same people going around doing these things. ... I think there's going to be more of them, too. They're cold-blooded,'' the elder Billingsley said.

The attack at Del Rancho came almost exactly a day after a minister's son was slain by carjackers hours after returning home from a family trip to find a college for him and his sister.

On Tuesday, Gregory L. Rogers Jr. was killed outside a convenience store as he was pumping gas into his sport utility vehicle. Like Billingsley's car, Rogers' vehicle had about $4,000 worth of custom wheels on it.