The truck driver shot by a security guard at an Oklahoma City truckstop Friday is in stable condition, as information about the incident comes out slowly.
Sgt. Megan Morgan of the Oklahoma City Police Department said the driver, whose name is not being released, is still in the hospital and is listed in stable condition. His hometown is unknown, but Morgan said his truck and the business the truck is registered under are listed as being in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Reports that the driver grabbed the gun of the security guard, whose name also has not been released, are unconfirmed, Morgan said in an email to FreightWaves.
“I am not sure if the truck driver grabbed the security guard’s gun,” she wrote. “The only information we have so far is that the driver was allegedly parked in a reserved spot, and upon being confronted by security an altercation ensued which led up to the truck driver being shot.”
A colleague of Morgan’s, Sgt. Brad Gilmore, was quoted in a local news report last week as saying that “during [the] altercation, the guard discharged his firearm because he felt like he had to defend himself.”
The police department has not charged anyone at this point but is continuing to investigate, according to Morgan. “The case will be presented to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, and they will ultimately determine which charges (if any) are appropriate in the case,” Morgan wrote. “At that point they will determine whether charges will be filed or not.”
Jim Bauman
The driver shot was stealing a parking space; about the same value as a carton of cig’s. Walmart calls police when someone steals like this; and prosecutes to max. If I were TA; I’d call cops when someone steals a parking space (that is reserved) so that, if anything goes wrong; TA is off the hook.
TA has to pay LOTS of money for all that land; including real estate taxes. I bet many who park there don’t even buy anything; except maybe a cup of coffee. Why would anyone expect TA to provide lots of free spaces? That’s a recipe for bankruptcy. All the shot driver had to do was pay for the spot, instead of stealing it. Granted, he should not have been shot over it though; perhaps “booted” where he has to pay, say $50 to be un-booted; if driver can’t provide proof of payment. If drivers expect TA to provide free spots; these same drivers should ask themselves if they’d work for free; since they want TA to provide all free spots. TA just needs to come up with safer way to enforce payment; it should have already thought of this possibility and had a plan of action; including NOT ever shooting someone. Although, blame might come down on 3rd party security company not following the rules.
George
I wonder is the victim a member of the global majority? Release any security footage. Dust security guards weapon fur print. This is gxtdxmn rediculous. 😳
Carlos H Ruballos
Justice for all,
Fred Abel
Typical security guard. Give them a little power and it goes to their head. Travon Martin ring a bell ?
MG
Quit whining Jerry Krage!!
The proble is parking. There’s plenty of unused bush ereas that the state can clear to make it easier on drivers! There’s new regulations. How about new rest stop!
Arthur
Why wasn’t the security guard charged?
Is he related to a member of the police?
Was the truck driver. White or black?
Was the security guard black or white ?
These questions are relevant to the case, was security guard relived from duty.?
What kind of truck stop has security guards shooting the Patriots?
What. Kind of world are we living in where the truck stop security shots the truck drivers?
Doc
Good questions Arthur. I do know I’ve observed a number of the guards from that company and more than a few of them were total jerks. Power tripping rent-a-cops. Saw one nearly draw down on a guy that he thought was staring at him.
Jerry krage
I wish there was more pay to park spaces. I know of a few very good companies around my hometown that reimburse their drivers for parking. If your company wont reimburse you then it’s time to reevaluate your choice of employer. You are parking on private property pay up or leave! I pay for a spot once a week or so and love the idea of knowing I have a spot at end of shift. As a true owner operator that is responsible for the cost of the freight on board I like the fact there are security guards on premise. I have never been bothered by anyone in a p to p spot.I do not run and eld and still pay even though u could keep driving. There has been p to p out here for 40 years. Quit whining and follow the rules!!
Arnold Petersen
Part of the problem is availability of parking, if the truck stop didn’t “reserve” half of the parking spaces on the chance that someone will pay for them there wouldn’t have been any confrontation.
We are required by law to shutdown after driving 11hours. With half of most trucks blocked off by these”reserved” spaces that no one has reserved or paid for it makes it me to impossible to find a parking space. If the only ones available are those unused “reserved” spaces that is where we have to ark or break the law.
Jim Bauman
TA has to pay millions for that real estate; and taxes on it; and lot paving. Driver should have just paid to the spot. Nothing is free. Would you drive for free? Why should TA give away spots that it pays for? A cup of coffee purchased by those parking in free spots would not even allow TA to break even. We’re lucky they have so many free spots vs Pilot garbage truck stop. Yes, I’m driver too, for 20 years.
Danny
Eld problem
Helen Corbett
This is a psychiatric. How can an unarmed and awakened person be shot. We can’t move the truck after our 11 hours of diving. I hope this trucker Sue’s Travel center of America for this.I agree we the truck driver have very little places to park and with this new pay to park reserve parking it’s only got worse.. Truck stop trying to make more money off the drive but now has shot a driver. How cheap can they get.
Jim Bauman
Who’s being cheap? TA has to pay millions of dollars for that real estate, including taxes every year. Every few years; millions $ more for repaving. Why should anyone expect TA to give those spaces for free? It’s a private business; not the Salvation Army. Would you drive for free? How many fleets have their drivers fuel at Pilot; where there is never enough parking; and then those drivers get to park at TA for free; without ever buying fuel? That’s not fair to TA. If I owned TA; all spots would be paid; zero free. Buy 60 gallons ;then free spot and shower. Otherwise pay. I’d charge $8 for every spot; instead of half free and half $16. $8 is much more tolerable than $16. Have em free, daytime only, for 2hrs or less; so that people can eat Popeyes etc and take nap, without worrying about paying to park. But nothing free at night. It’s a business; and TA is not doing well financially. What if it went Bankrupt? Then all those spaces go away. It has to make money to not go bankrupt.