
Trucker shot by security guard over “reserved” parking spot
(Update 1130 2/17/2020 driver’s condition updated to stable according to OKC Police)
An early morning fight between a truck driver and a truck stop security guard over a reserved parking spot ended in the trucker shot and in critical condition.
According to the Oklahoma City Police department, around 0430 Friday, February 14th 2020, they received a 911 call about gunfire at the TA Travel Center near Interstate 40 in West Oklahoma city. Upon arrival police discovered one trucker was shot in the chest after being shot by a security guard over a dispute over a reserved parking space.
Sgt. Brad Gilmore with the Oklahoma City Police Department said in a press conference that the security guard approached the trucker and asked him to move his truck as the space was reserved. The trucker and security guard soon got into a physical altercation and the security guard fired one shot, hitting the trucker in the chest.
“During that altercation, the guard discharged his firearm because he felt like he had to defend himself,” Gilmore stated. The security guard was questioned and released.
This is the second shooting involving a trucker at this OKC truckstop. On March 28th, 2019 a truck driver was found shot after after reportedly refusing an offer to engage in prostitution by a woman, and then shot by a man. The man and woman escaped in a pickup truck, according to the Oklahoman.
In recent years major truck stops have begun “reserving” truck parking spots where drivers can pay to guarantee truck parking at certain stops along their routes. Truck parking, or the lack thereof, is listed as a top 5 critical issue in trucking according to an ATRI’s research survey.
Freight Broker Live will continue to monitor this story for updates