Luther Residents Get Ready To Take On Manhunt Suspect

The manhunt continues for Michael Vance who police say shot two Wellston police officers, kicking off a bloody spree.

Police said he opened fire on the officers with a high-powered AK-47 on Sunday. Vance stole their patrol pickup, drove to a nearby trailer park, carjacked a pregnant woman and her husband, and then opened fire on witnesses, hitting a woman in the leg.

Police said he went to his aunt and uncle's home near Luther where he brutally stabbed them to death. That's when he took off in their silver 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse with Oklahoma license plate 943-LQQ.

Residents in Luther are on edge. Police still don't know where Vance is. What they do know is he's dangerous.

On Tuesday, Darvel Fountain Sr. did some work around his property, but he was on high alert, and had a gun within reach. 

"You know, I'm not playing no (sic) games,” Fountain said. “If he was to walk down that yard, I'm not gonna say 'hey.' I'll shoot."

And Fountain isn't alone. 

Folks in Luther know if Vance is still on the run and if he's in the area, he may be looking for a place to get some food and rest. 

That could mean breaking into a house. They say they're ready. 

"Yeah, I keep my pistol by the bed and I do have a shotgun by the door," said Emery Lamunyon of Luther. "I've never been too worried about actually needing it, 'til now."

Lamunyon said his friends are armed, too. 

"They do all they all have guns. They have their carry license so they have them on them all the time, and of course, it's hunting season so everybody's out shooting right now," Lamunyon said.

Luther Police Marcus Thurman said he’s OK with people arming themselves and protecting their homes, especially now. 

But “what we’re having is when we get calls we get people come out with guns and when it’s at night, especially, it’s hard to tell who the good guy is and who the bad guy is," he said.

Law enforcement officials have established a hotline to deal specifically with tips regarding the search for Vance. That hotline number is (405) 246-9205 and will be manned 24/7 by U.S. Marshals.