Witness of Abilene officer-involved shooting speaks out

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – During an attempted traffic stop Tuesday night, police say James Wesley Key, 39, fled from them and shot an officer. This led to what is now a citywide search for him after reports of him being seen throughout the night.

Now, the suspect’s cousin, Vickie Putnam, shares her side of what happened as she rode on the back of his motorcycle when the police attempted to stop him. She told KTAB/KRBC her recount of the night.

“I see him run to the back and open the gate and see the officers jump out and run with guns. Then I heard some fire. The only guns that I saw firing were the cops. Then more cops showed up, and more guns came out,” Putnam said.

The Impact area where the incident happened was blocked off Tuesday night as first responders attempted to find Key. Putnam said she owns the house where police are mainly stationed on the 1700 block of Roosevelt and has questions for the officers.

“He didn’t stop because he doesn’t have a license. That’s what it is. He doesn’t have a driver’s license. He doesn’t want to go back to prison,” Putnam said. “Why were you pulling him over? He uses the signals, everything. So why? Why would you pull him over?”

Abilene Crime stoppers are now offering 5,000 dollars to anyone with information leading to his arrest.