BWC Video Shows OK Officers Being Ambushed While Clearing Trailer

The Oklahoma City Police Department (OK) released body-worn camera (BWC) video of when three officers were ambushed while searching for a fugitive inside a fifth wheel camping trailer earlier this month. One officer was wounded when he was struck by shrapnel.

Officers had been alerted Nov. 15 that a man wanted on an out-of-state felony warrant was at the trailer. They responded and attempted to locate the suspect, Timothy Johnson, after he was reported to have been seen entering the trailer.

Capt. Valerie Littlejohn, of the department’s media relations office, says officers were met by a woman who lives in the trailer. Police say she stated there was nobody inside the trailer but did give the officers consent to search.

Three officers searched the living room of the trailer, then two advanced into the bedroom to continue searching.

“While searching the trailer, officers lifted a mattress that covered a storage area. When the mattress was lifted officers saw suspect Johnson hiding in the storage area armed with a pistol. He aimed the pistol at the officers, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire,” says Littlejohn.

The video then captures a rapid exchange of gunfire between Johnson and the officers.

The footage shows two officers rapidly vacating the trailer and then soon rejoining the officer who remained inside. There was then a second exchange of shots.

“Come out with your hands up, come out with your hands up,” two officers tell the suspect.

The audio captured by BWC also recorded one officer indicating he had been hit.

“I’m hit, I’m hit, I’m hit,” he shouts.

The officer was struck in the face by shrapnel, according to Littlejohn.

Once all three officers exited the residence, they established a perimeter and the department’s tactical team was activated. Police later found Johnson deceased inside the trailer.

The woman who lives in the trailer has been charged with harboring a fugitive.