An Oklahoma grand jury has indicted a Blackwell police lieutenant in the fatal shooting earlier this year of a female road range suspect who fired shots at police during a shooting spree that was described by one publication as “a rolling gunfight.”
According to The Oklahoman, Lt. John Mitchell has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Michael Ann Godsey back on May 20. The newspaper said Mitchell and another officer both fired several rounds at the pickup Godsey was driving and she died at the wheel.
Mitchell’s attorney, identified as Gary James, told the newspaper, “It’s a sad day for law enforcement and society.”
Following his arrest, a judge at his bond hearing released Mitchell on personal recognizance.
Published reports say several officers including Mitchell responded to reports of someone firing shots in part of the city, and that they were coming from a white pickup truck. Godsey reportedly fired twice at responding officers, her own mother and another private citizen before Mitchell, using an AR-15 rifle, returned fire, putting rounds through the windshield.
Some 60 rounds were reportedly fired by police.
If Mitchell is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison, the newspaper said.
