Law Enforcement Leaders Frustrated That Kameron Jenkins Was Released Prior To Deadly Shooting

As the U.S. Marshals Service continues to search for the man accused of a shooting that injured a deputy and killed an innocent passer-by, law enforcement officials are frustrated that the suspect was released from jail prior to the shooting, given his lengthy criminal history.

"You're seeing people get out of prison that should not be out of prison. You're seeing people get released from jail that should not be," said Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley. 

Gourley was speaking in reference to 25-year-old Kameron Jenkins, who is accused of shooting and injuring Cleveland County Deputy Sean Steadman in Garvin County Wednesday morning. Steadman was trying to pull over Jenkins on Interstate 35, according to a probable cause affidavit. As Jenkins continued to drive, Steadman performed a tactical vehicle intervention maneuver to stop Jenkins' vehicle, said the document. Jenkins then shot Steadman in the chin during the ensuing gunfight, the affidavit said.

Related: 'Failure In The System': Manhunt Subject Released From Jail Recently On $1,000 Bond

A bullet also hit and killed a passer-by, Gwuan Frierson, as he was sitting in the passenger seat of a dump truck, the affidavit stated. Jenkins is wanted on complaints of murder, shooting with intent to kill, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm after a former felony conviction, the document said.

As of Friday evening, Jenkins remained on the run.

Jenkins has a criminal history dating back to 2012, when he was arrested because investigators said he shot at an Oklahoma City police officer. He was then arrested several more times in Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties for assault and battery and other charges, according to records. A judge sentenced Jenkins to up to 10 years in prison. He served six years before he was released in March.

Just months after being released from prison, Oklahoma City Police arrested Jenkins on a procuring for prostitution charge. Court records showed his bond was originally $250,000. But he was released on a $1,000 bond.

"A lot of these individuals that, you know, we identify, we get them on these warrants, we get them arrested. They bond out. They're going to commit these same acts. They don't go, 'Oh, I'm going to quit now,'" Gourley said. 

Gourley said law enforcement wants to work with lawmakers to ensure dangerous people stay locked up.

"We're doing everything we can to work with the legislators to try and reach that common ground to where those folks that do deserve a path through the justice system can get that," said Gourley. "But those that don't need to be held accountable and need to be put in prison and need to be off the streets so they're not victimizing others."

Gourley later recalled another shooting in which an officer was hit.

"One of my own officers was shot, saved by his ballistic body armor. That suspect got six years," said Gourley. "And so it sends a message to the criminals that it's okay to attack law enforcement. And we're working very hard to change that path and get that pendulum to swing back."

Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason said he will do everything he can to make sure Jenkins "spends the rest of his life in jail."

“This just shows a failure in the criminal justice system," said Amason. "This guy should have been behind bars.”