PITTSBURG COUNTY, Okla. - The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is looking into a possible hate crime that occurred in Pittsburg County Monday night.
Man arrested for possible hate crime in Savanna. Police expect arraignment today https://t.co/xayC4oRMhs @KJRH2HD pic.twitter.com/euPgAtWrSa
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) May 3, 2016
Savanna PD's chief told me man was due in Creek Co. court this morning for past assault on a firefighter @KJRH2HD pic.twitter.com/phwKUaxQsg
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) May 3, 2016
According to police, a suspect allegedly walked into a Savanna, Oklahoma Superette gas station armed with a cane knife and stabbed the clerk in the back of the neck.
The suspect, later identified by police as Larry Johnson, then allegedly stated "There goes another terrorist."
When police arrived, Johnson left the store and ran towards his car, but the officer caught up to him and placed him in handcuffs.
Police say that because Johnson made statements consistent with a hate crime, OSBI will be looking into the case.
The victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to be ok. Police in Savanna say Johnson was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly assaulting a firefighter in May of 2015.
Here are details of May 20 incident in Creek Co. Larry Johnson is charged with assault with a deadly weapon @KJRH2HD pic.twitter.com/RwQWOjBZC3
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) May 3, 2016
Johnson's bond was set in May at $35,000. Savanna's police chief tells me he hopes a much higher bond is set today @KJRH2HD
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) May 3, 2016
CAIR Oklahoma Civil Rights director Veronica Laizure released a statement in part saying, "We welcome the investigation of this terrible attack as a hate crime and call for the attacker to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
