On Wednesday, a manager at a Hobby Lobby distribution center in southwest Oklahoma City was fatally shot. The suspect died hours later in a vehicle crash on Highway 33 near Kingfisher.
According to the police, the suspect fled the scene and was pursued in two counties. It is believed that the incident began as a dispute between the suspect and the manager, escalating to the point where the suspect pulled out a gun and shot the victim at least once.
Oklahoma City Police tweeted, “March 1st, just before 5 pm, an employee of Hobby Lobby at 3700 S. Council got into an altercation w/a supervisor. The employee produced a firearm & fatally shot the supervisor.” The suspect and victim have been identified as males.
The Oklahoma City Police Department revealed that the victim in the incident was Douglas Smith, aged 69. The suspect’s identity has not been released.
Hobby Lobby and its founder and CEO, David Green, released a statement offering his condolences and sadness at the passing of their beloved employee Doug Smith due to an act of violence. They are asking for prayers for Doug’s family, friends, co-workers, and the first responders who acted to ensure the safety of their employees.