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Undersheriff Justified In Deadly Shooting During Spiro Hostage Situation, DA Says

LEFLORE COUNTY, Okla. (KFSM) – LeFlore County Undersheriff Kendall Morgan was justified in the deadly shooting of a suspect Oct. 13, the county district attorne...

LEFLORE COUNTY, Okla. (KFSM) – LeFlore County Undersheriff Kendall Morgan was justified in the deadly shooting of a suspect Oct. 13, the county district attorney announced Wednesday morning.

District Attorney Jeff Smith determined Morgan’s use of deadly force in the hostage situation was “necessary to ensure his own safety, as well as the safety of his fellow officers on scene, and most importantly, the safety of innocent civilians,” Smith released in a statement.

The district attorney’s findings come after the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation investigated the shooting and forwarded their material to Smith.

The undersheriff shot and killed Freddie Cooper, 36, during a hostage situation at a home on Shelley Carlisle Drive in Spiro. Authorities said Cooper took four people hostage and later came out of the house while pointing a gun at deputies.

Marcy Baker said she was inside the home when Cooper threatened her and her family.

"There is no doubt in my mind that if they had not done what they did, one of them, two of them, three, four, I don't know, there was a bunch here. I believe there would have been a lot more people hurt besides just one," said Baker.

Morgan fired one round at the suspect, hitting him in the chest and killing him, said Sheriff Rob Seale.

"I am proud of my undersheriff," said Seale. "I am proud to have him on staff. He is a very valuable asset to my staff and I am glad we have got him."

Seale said the suspect was carrying two loaded pistols. No one else was hurt in the incident.

"My heart goes out to his family. I know they have got to be hurting," said Baker. "I wish I could just put my arms around his mother and say it is going to be okay."

Seale said Morgan has returned to his full-time duties.

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