Body cam footage released in March officer-involved shooting in Guthrie

The Guthrie Police Department has released body camera footage from a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 7, in the 1600 block of South Division Street.

Around 12:40 p.m., officers responded to a call involving a potentially armed man threatening self-harm or seeking to provoke a lethal confrontation with police, commonly referred to as “suicide by cop.” The subject, later identified as 54-year-old David Allen Dunford, was found seated in his black pickup truck. Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, urging Dunford to exit the vehicle peacefully and assuring him that their goal was to help.

Dunford repeatedly refused to comply and told officers he had a firearm and planned to use it to provoke them. Officers deployed pepper spray and tried to remove him from the vehicle. A struggle ensued, during which Dunford put the truck in reverse, placing two officers in immediate danger.

One officer was hit by the vehicle’s door and thrown to the ground. Officers then opened fire, fatally striking Dunford. Emergency personnel arrived within minutes but were unable to revive him. A search of the vehicle revealed a sawed-off shotgun, a fully loaded magazine, and a loaded handgun.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation conducted a thorough investigation, and on April 16, the Logan County District Attorney’s Office ruled the use of deadly force justified. The officers, who were placed on paid administrative leave following the incident, have since returned to duty.

According to a release by the City’s counsel, the Guthrie Police Department recognizes that the officers were confronted with an extremely difficult and rapidly developing situation. Officers did everything possible to avoid the use of deadly force, even to their own detriment, while making split-second decisions to protect both their lives and the lives of nearby citizens. We believe the officers responded appropriately under the circumstances