Oklahoma, NY Security Officers Hailed As Heroes
OKLAHOMA CITY OK Nov 11 2021- A security officer who was shot over the weekend in Bricktown is recovering and being hailed a hero.
He sat down with News 9 and recounted the chilling moments during the shootout.
“Call the ambulance. I have a 7-year-old. I don’t want to die,” said security officer Richard Luman when chaos erupted in one of the city’s largest entertainment districts.
Police are now calling the security officer’s actions heroic after he encouraged others to seek cover.
“I’m like, ‘everyone get down, we’re being shot at!’” said Luman.
Security officer Luman was on the job when he saw a large police presence.
“I heard a disturbance, I heard a gunshot,” said Luman.
After he ordered folks to get down and seek cover, police said Luman was hit.
“I’m telling everyone, ‘hey, I got shot, someone call the ambulance,’” said Luman.
Police said Luman was not the intended target, but instead was caught in a gun battle. The incident was captured on surveillance video.
One of those bullets tore through Luman’s stomach.
“I’ve got a whole bunch of staples in my belly. They’re saying the bullet bounced off my liver and bounced around in my belly,” said Luman.
His wife, Krista Stithem, got the call.
“That was one of the scariest calls I’ve ever gotten, it was horrifying,” said Stithem.
For the next six hours, Luman was in surgery.
“By the time I got to him, he was talking to me but very in pain and sore,” said Stithem.
“People let their anger get the better of them nowadays, especially with the availability of guns,” said Luman.
Realizing that he may have cheated death, Luman said he’ll be looking for a new career for the sake of his family.
“My family definitely wants me to get out of the security business, for sure. I’ll probably end up not doing any more security work,” said Luman.
Police have not identified the men involved in the gunfight.
They think it’s just a matter of time with the help of surveillance video.
Citizens are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300 if they have any information concerning the case.
Another security officer in New York is lucky to be alive today after being shot multiple times as he approached a suspicious vehicle at a closed business.
Troy Elderberry was hit in the arm, shoulder and hand but was able to return fire striking the assailant.
The driver of the vehicle fled but police were later called to the emergency room for a man who came in with a bullet wound.
Police connected the man with the shooting.
Both men are expected to survive their wounds.
Police believe that the security officer interrupted a burglary at the business.
NOTE: Private Officer International will be presenting an award to each security officer for their heroic actions.
