Southwest Airlines worker dead in Oklahoma airport shooting

OKLAHOMA CITY — A Southwest Airlines employee was shot outside Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport on Tuesday and died after police closed the sprawling complex to search for his killer.

Oklahoma City police identified the victim as Michael Winchester, 52, a former University of Oklahoma football player whose son, James, plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The airline said it was helping police officers with their investigation. Police have not detained a suspect.

"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," the airline said in a statement.

It said it would cancel flights out of the city for the remainder of the day even if the rest of the terminal reopens.

Hundreds of people were stranded inside the terminal for more than three hours before officers began letting them leave slowly.

Police confirmed Tuesday evening that the suspect had been found dead in a truck.

Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident, but precautionary measures were still appropriate.

Michael Winchester was a punter on the University of Oklahoma's 1985 national championship team.

"Our hearts are truly heavy for the entire Winchester Family. Mike was a former Sooner student athlete as was his son James/daughter Carolyn," the school's athletic director, Joe Castiglione, tweeted Tuesday afternoon.

The Associated Press and Channel 2’s sister station KOKI-TV contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group