Lawton, OK – A wanted fugitive and his mother were arrested following a dramatic standoff in Grady County, Oklahoma, which lasted nearly six hours. The suspect, 34-year-old William Buenrostro, had been on the run after a multi-county pursuit in December. Authorities were searching for Buenrostro in connection with six felony warrants stemming from the incident, which included a vehicle theft and dangerous driving.
According to the Grady County Sheriff’s Office, the chase began when Buenrostro stole his mother’s truck, prompting a pursuit by multiple law enforcement agencies. During the chase, one of the sheriff’s deputies executed a PIT maneuver, disabling the vehicle. However, the suspect then fled on foot into a wooded area, where deputies gave chase.
Sheriff Gary Boggess recounted the tense moments as Buenrostro turned and aimed two pistols at the deputies. In response, one deputy fired approximately seven rounds, hitting Buenrostro. He was taken into custody and transported to OU Health for treatment. Sheriff Boggess, citing the suspect’s incapacitation, made the decision not to station a guard at the hospital, working instead with hospital police to monitor Buenrostro’s release.
However, Buenrostro was released from the hospital Friday evening without notification to authorities. According to the sheriff, he then took a taxi to his mother’s residence. It wasn’t until Sunday that law enforcement discovered his whereabouts, setting the stage for the lengthy standoff.
The Grady County Sheriff’s Office responded swiftly, deploying a robot to approach the front door of the residence. After Buenrostro repeatedly closed the door on the robot, authorities opted to use CS gas to force his surrender. After several canisters of the gas were deployed, Buenrostro finally gave up without further incident.
In addition to arresting Buenrostro, law enforcement took his mother, Susie Woodruff, into custody for harboring a fugitive. Sheriff Boggess stated that Woodruff had been actively seeking out places to hide her son, fully aware that he was wanted by police.
Buenrostro faces multiple charges, including felony warrants, and his mother faces charges related to aiding him in evading law enforcement. The arrest brings to a close a tense and dangerous chapter for both the suspect and his family.
