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July 2, 2009

Norman Super 8 suicide suspect possible connection to stolen vehicle, OKC home invasion

By Meghan McCormick

It appears a man being pursued by Norman police in connection with a reported stolen vehicle killed himself Wednesday afternoon inside the Super 8 Motel, 2600 W. Main St.

Norman Police Capt. Leonard Judy said around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, an officer spotted a reportedly stolen vehicle, a white Ford crew cab pickup in the 2600 block of West Main Street.

"The vehicle was reported stolen from a recent home invasion robbery in Oklahoma City," Judy said.

Judy said officers found the pickup in the motel's back lot. Police saw a man leave the pickup and walk into the building.

"The officers entered the hotel in an attempt to find him and determined that he had gone into a public restroom adjacent to the indoor pool," he said.

Judy said officers attempted to speak to the man. Instead, it appears the man used a gun to take his life.

"He fired one round and shot himself," Judy said.

The man was the only occupant in the pickup and the only person inside the restroom when he took his life, Judy said.

The weapon used in the shooting hasn't been identified. Judy said the suspect was in his late 20s.

"No shots are believed to have been fired by or at officers during the incident," Judy said.

Super 8 Motel front desk employee Megan Kaupke said she and another employee were unloading items from the manager's vehicle near the motel entrance when the commotion began.

"I saw a couple cops run in with big guns," she said.

Kaupke said she received a call from a woman at the Norman Police Department who instructed her to evacuate the building. About eight motel rooms were occupied with guests Wednesday afternoon.

"We were running out as cops were running in," she said.

Another front desk employee who only wanted to be identified as Chris said he didn't want to evacuate.

"I wanted to stay and watch," he said.

Chris and other employees waited across the street in a convenience store parking lot as police investigated the scene.

He said Wednesday's shooting didn't deter him from working at the motel.

"I'll be here tomorrow," Chris said.

Mike Brimm of Konawa had just checked in the motel Wednesday afternoon when officers converged on the motel, searching for the suspect. Brimm said police told him and his family to stay in their room.

"They told us to get in the back room," he said. "It was crazy."

Brimm said he brought his family to Norman for a family vacation. The Brimm family stays at the Super 8 Motel often when they visit area.

"It's really a nice place," he said.

Brimm said he and his family decided not to keep their reservation Wednesday afternoon. Brimm was searching for another place for his family to stay.

"I've got a little girl scared," he said.

Police haven't released the suspect's name yet. Judy said police will continue to investigation the incident.

Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com

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