MWC Police Identify Burglary Suspect Shot By Officer

Midwest City police have identified a suspect who was shot by an officer when he threatened him with a gun Monday morning.

According to police, 18-year-old Charles A. Pettit, 18, and another male suspect broke into a home in the 600 block of Peppertree Lane around 4 a.m. Monday. An officer arrived on scene and began chasing the two on foot.

10/5/2015 Related Story: Burglary Suspect Shot By Officer At Rose State College

The foot pursuit weaved through the south parking lot of Rose State College, continued into the courtyard of the campus and ended just west of the aquatics center, according to police. At that point, Pettit crouched down by a trash bin, and Officer James Hill ordered him multiple times to show his hands.  

Officer Hill has been with the police department for 18 months and is a four year Marine veteran, serving two tours in Afghanistan as an infantry man.  According to Hill and a security guard at Rose State who witnessed the shooting, Pettit not only did not comply with Hill’s orders, but pointed a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun at Hill.

Hill immediately shot Pettit several times based on the threat of imminent danger or death, according to police. Pettit was transported to OU Medical Center where he is still listed in critical condition.

Surveillance cameras show the second suspect, described as a young black male, 18 to 25 years of age, run west from the shooting location and continue towards I-40.

Rose State College continues to be a secure and safe higher education institute, and this incident had no connection with the campus other than the suspects trying to flee police by running across the property, police said.

“The environment for law enforcement is extremely dangerous.  In addition with the nationwide negative attitude towards police officers today, these men and women have the toughest job—yesterday’s event underlines my point with an exclamation mark,” said Chief Brandon Clabes. “I am extremely grateful Officer Hill was not wounded or killed during this critical incident.  Unfortunately, he will have to deal with it in his own way for the rest of his career as do all officers who have had to shoot someone to protect themselves in the line of duty.”

Formal charges of assault with a deadly weapon and first-degree burglary against Pettit will be presented to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office.  If Pettit should die from his injures and once the second suspect is identified, that person could be charged with murder based on the fact a death occurred during the commission of a felony, according to police. 

If anyone has information concerning the second suspect, call the Midwest City Police Department at (405)-739-1306.

Pettit has a criminal record in Oklahoma County, according to police.