LAWTON, Okla. (Scroll down for video) – The following is a news release from the Comanche County District Attorney’s Office:
On December 5, 2021, officers from the Lawton Police Department responded to 1806 NW Lincoln Avenue, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. The officers were responding to a call received by dispatch at 20:37 hours from one of the residents at said property. The call to dispatch was made in reference to a male being present at said property in violation of an active protective order and said male was in possession of a firearm. Once officers arrived at 1806 NW Lincoln Avenue, the suspect was identified as Quadry Sanders. Officers learned that Mr. Sanders was inside the home located at 1806 NW Lincoln Avenue and was refusing to let one of the residents leave. Officers set up a perimeter around the house. A sergeant with the Lawton Police Department (LPD) then began giving Mr. Sanders orders using a PA system in a patrol vehicle. Shortly after commands were given, a female resident of the home exited.
Minutes later, Mr. Sanders was seen going out the back door of the home. An officer gave Mr. Sanders commands to show his hands, which he immediately complied with, but then Mr. Sanders ran back into the home. Seconds later, Quadry Sanders walked out of the front door of the home. Mr. Sanders was met underneath a carport by Officers Robert Hinkle and Nathan Ronan. Both Officers Hinkle and Ronan were wearing body cameras which captured the following events:
Officer Hinkle begins telling Mr. Sanders “hands, hands” as well as “down, down, down, down.” Mr. Sanders hands are clearly seen and the only item visible in his hands is a ball cap, which he transfers from his right hand to his left hand. As he is receiving these orders, Mr. Sanders quickly turns back towards the front door of the home.
Officers Hinkle and Ronan then walk closer to Mr. Sanders. As Hinkle approaches, Mr. Sanders can be seen raising both of his hands in the air, above his head. At that time, Officer Hinkle shoots his firearm four times at Mr. Sanders. Mr. Sanders falls to the ground and appears to have been shot, at which time Officer Hinkle once again orders “hands, hands, hands,” and to “quit reaching.” Mr. Sanders sits up from his back with his hands above his head at which time Officer Hinkle fires his firearm seven additional times. Simultaneously with these shots, Officer Ronan also fires his weapon at Mr. Sanders four times. Mr. Sanders is then secured by Officer Hinkle. On the way to Comanche County Memorial Hospital by ambulance, Quadry Sanders is pronounced dead. No weapon was located on Mr. Sanders’ body or in the area where he was shot.
On February 22, 2022, the Comanche County District Attorney’s Office received the Prosecution Report and ballistics reports from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). It was determined that fifteen rounds were fired at Quadry Sanders, eleven rounds by Officer Hinkle and four rounds by Officer Ronan. Of those rounds fired, seven complete or fragmented projectiles were recovered, six of which were confirmed to be fired by Officer Hinkle. It was not able to be determined which firearm fired the fragmented projectile.
On April 25, 2022, the Comanche County District Attorney’s Office received a copy of the Autopsy Report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (Medical Examiner). The Medical Examiner listed Quadry Sanders’ cause of death as “multiple gunshot wounds.” There were twelve gunshot wounds observed on Mr. Sanders’ body (abdomen, groin area, legs, arm, and hand).
After review of the entire case file presented by the OSBI, including the Medical Examiner’s Autopsy Report, the Comanche County District Attorney’s Office has made the determination that the shooting of Quadry Sanders was not justified. Officers Robert Hinkle and Nathan Ronan have been charged with First Degree Manslaughter and are presumed innocent of the charges until proven guilty.
Copies of the body camera footage of Officers Hinkle, Ronan, and other officers present at the time of the shooting, will be available through the Comanche County District Attorney’s Office upon written request made by mail or in person at the District Attorney’s Office. The camera footage that will be made available upon request is not the entire video recording captured by officers on scene on December 5, 2021. This footage could be considered disturbing and offensive to its viewer. There will be no further statements or comments made by the Comanche County District Attorney’s Office in relation to this case, at this time.”
