The details are trickling in on this tragic situation but it has been confirmed that the father of Chiefs long snapper James Winchester, Michael Winchester, was shot and killed at Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City while working for Southwest Airlines.
I'm devastated to confirm for news outlets that my client @J_Winchester41 lost his father today to tragic & senseless gun violence at OKC.
— Ken Sarnoff (@KenSarnoff) November 15, 2016
The Kansas City Star has more details on the incident:
The Oklahoma City Police Department announced that Michael Winchester, an employee of Southwest Airlines, was shot in a parking lot at Will Rogers World Airport and was eventually taken to a hospital, where he died.
Ken Sarnoff, Winchester’s agent, confirmed that his client’s father was killed due to “tragic” and “senseless” gun violence. Capt. Paco Balderrama of the OCPD says he believes Michael Winchester was working at the time of his murder. When asked if the shooting could be tied to Winchester’s employment, Balderrama said it could be, but he did not know if the shooter and the victim knew each other. Balderrama also said he does not believe this is currently an active shooter situation, which means they don’t believe anyone else is in danger of being shot. Balderrama said police have potential leads to a possible suspect, who they have not positively identified yet. He added there is currently only one suspect at this time. Winchester, 52, was a punter for Oklahoma from 1984 to 1985, where his son, James, also snapped from 2009 to 2011.
The Kansas City Chiefs released the following statement:
Our love and support is with James and the entire Winchester family. Our heartfelt thoughts & prayers are with you.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 16, 2016
Southwest Airlines released a statement as well via CBS Dallas:
It is with great sorrow that Southwest Airlines confirms that a Southwest Employee who was injured during a shooting incident today at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City has died from injuries. We continue to work with the local authorities investigating this incident. As a result of the police investigation, local flight operations have been halted. We’re working to accommodate Customers still in the airport when it was locked down as well as cancelling flights departing from Oklahoma City for the remainder of the day. The Southwest Airlines Family is deeply saddened by the passing of our Southwest Family Member, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies and support to his family and Southwest Co-workers at this time.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Winchester family during this difficult time.