Coweta Police: Suspect Wanted For Convenience Store Shooting Turns Himself In

A man who Coweta police say shot a convenience store clerk five times, before going on the run, is in jail on Tuesday morning.

Tuesday, December 14th 2021, 9:49 pm

By: News On 6

The man accused of shooting a Coweta gas station clerk five times has been arrested.

Tulsa Police arrested Ellic Hayden yesterday for the shooting that happened at a Kum and Go last month.

Investigators say security footage from inside the Kum and Go played a big role in identifying Hayden as the suspect.

Police say he turned himself in after investigators released his name and picture.

Coweta Police say Ellic Hayden's arrest ends the nearly month-long search for the man in this security video - who shot a Kum and Go clerk five times before running off with stolen cash.

Related Story: Related Story: Coweta Police Name Suspect In Recent Armed Robbery

"This is a relatively safe area, and this type of crime is completely unheard of," said District Attorney Jack Thorp.

Thorp says Hayden is facing two felony counts - robbery with a deadly weapon, and assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

"He is looking at what could be life in prison," Thorp said.

Coweta Police Chief Mike Bell says with help from the DA's office, investigators combed through around 200 tips and identified Hayden as a suspect before he turned himself in.

“We were able to locate the subject, and I believe that the pressure that was put on him, his family convinced him to go ahead and turn himself into the Tulsa Police Department," Bell said.

Bell and Thorp say a potentially violent suspect turning himself in is an ideal scenario - and they hope the arrest sends a message to any would-be criminals.

“It’s not going to be a good idea to come to Coweta or anywhere within district 27 and commit these types of crimes because law enforcement will mobilize, and they will find you,” Thorp said.

Thorp says the victim, Harrison Bentley-Bales survived the shooting.

He posted on social media that he is out of the hospital - and though some of his injuries are still healing - he is recovering well.