Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

BWC Video Shows OK Officers Being Ambushed While Clearing Trailer

"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 Capt. Valerie Littlejohn.

November 29, 2022
BWC Video Shows OK Officers Being Ambushed While Clearing Trailer

Body-worn cameras captured when a man hiding beneath a mattress ambushed officers searching inside a trailer earlier this month. One officer was wounded by shrapnel.

Credit:

PHOTO: Oklahoma City Police Department

2 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

“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.

Ad Loading...

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

More Patrol

Team Wendy EXFIL Endurance ballistic helmet in olive green with tactical rails and chin strap, displayed alongside the Team Wendy logo and product headline against a textured black-and-gray background.
Patrol•October 23, 2026

Team Wendy Introduces the EXFIL Endurance Ballistic Helmet, Engineered to Reduce the Burden of Extended Wear

Team Wendy has launched its EXFIL Endurance, a new lightweight ballistic helmet engineered to deliver protection, comfort, and fit during demanding, extended operations.

Read More →
Collage featuring paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and emergency vehicles surrounding the First Responders Children’s Foundation logo, highlighting the organization’s support for families of first responders.
Patrol•October 22, 2026

The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC

First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.

Read More →
Streamlight promotional graphic showcasing four lighting products: TLR-3X, PolyTac 1X, ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X, and ProTac Rail Mount VIR Pro, displayed against an orange and black background with the Streamlight logo.
Patrol•October 22, 2026

Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026

Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III featuring a tripod-mounted LED work light and close-up product view, with a badge recognizing it as the 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year winner.
Patrol•October 15, 2026

Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award

Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.

Read More →
Hands insert an Adept Armor protective plate into a camouflage tactical plate carrier, demonstrating how the armor plate fits inside the vest.
Patrol•September 17, 2026

Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates

Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.

Read More →
Open Benchmade folding knife with a bronze-colored blade, textured dark handle, and braided lanyard resting on weathered wooden boards.
Patrol•by Wayne Parham•September 17, 2026

POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout

The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Officer of the Month graphic honoring Deputy Lorne Juday of the Osceola County, Michigan, Sheriff’s Office for July 2026, featuring a portrait of Juday in uniform.
Patrol•September 17, 2026

NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month

NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.

Read More →
Streamlight promotional graphic featuring the LiteBox 1 Million handheld light and Portable Scene Light III, highlighting products displayed for the 2026 National Safety Council Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis, Sept. 14–16.
Patrol•September 10, 2026

Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026

Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.

Read More →
Graphic promoting the 2027 World Police & Fire Games in Perth, Australia, featuring an aerial city view and photos of international participants carrying Brazilian and Australian flags.
Patrol•September 10, 2026

The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia

The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
New York City skyline at night with the Tribute in Light beams illuminating the sky in remembrance of September 11, with the 5.11 logo in the upper left.
Patrol•September 10, 2026

5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343

5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

Read More →