By Police1 Staff
Two officers were shot and wounded Sunday by 38-year-old suspect Michael Vance. Here are five things you should know about the suspect at the center of an ongoing crime spree.
1. Vance is suspected in the shooting of five people — including two murders.
According to the Oklahoman, Officers Shawn Stewart and Jim Hampton were shot by the suspect Sunday night as they arrived to a shots fired call in Wellston, Oklahoma. One suspect was arrested at the scene. Vance made his escape in an officer’s patrol car, then attacked a woman and jacked her vehicle at a trailer park near the scene. The woman refused medical treatment. The officers are expected to be OK. Vance is believed to have been shot twice during the initial confrontation with police.
The Associated Press reported that Vance is also suspected in the murder of his aunt and uncle, whose bodies were discovered as police searched for him.
Vance has also been linked to another shooting at a truck stop in Sayre, Oklahoma on Monday. A man was shot in the legs during an attempted carjacking.
2. Vance is still armed and on the run.
The suspect, who is believed to be armed with an AK-47, is currently driving a silver 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Oklahoma license plate 943LQQ. Vance is Native American, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 212 pounds.
— Okla. Highway Patrol (@OHPtraffic) October 24, 2016
3. Vance has been livestreaming his escape on Facebook.
News 9 reported that Vance has shared videos to Facebook documenting his escape from law enforcement.
In one video, Vance’s firearm can be seen lying on a car seat. Vance makes threats and says that he is planning to steal another vehicle and that it’s “gonna be intense.” He signs off one of the videos by saying, “If you want to know what’s up next, stay tuned to your local news.”
4. Vance is believed to have a medical condition he “may try to spread.”
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol announced the suspect has a medical condition that he “may try to spread,” but did not elaborate.
News 9 reported that the disease is HIV/AIDS.
5. Vance is facing sexual assault charges and has a lengthy criminal history.
The suspect was recently released from a local jail and is accused of child sexual assault, according to News 9.
Vance was convicted in an assault case in 1999. He has also been convicted for drug possession, writing fake checks, and was the subject of numerous protective orders, according to the report.