A dramatic pursuit originating from an alleged shoplifting incident at Walmart in Atoka on Friday, May 30th, 2025, concluded with a gunfight and the arrest of 19-year-old Jason New from Alabama. Law enforcement reported that all personnel and the suspect were without injury.
The incident began when Atoka Police Depart- ment officers attempted a traffic stop following a shoplifting report. The suspect, identified as Jason New, allegedly fled, driving recklessly and running several citizen vehicles off the road.
The pursuit intensified as an Atoka County Deputy attempted to set up a roadblock at Highway 69 and 4th Street. New reportedly rammed the deputy’s vehicle and continued northbound, causing another accident at Highway 69 and B Street. The chase continued north, with the suspect entering oncoming traffic and forcing more citizens off the roadway.
At one point, the suspect turned southbound, heading back towards Atoka, where officers had established another roadblock. However, New then reversed course, fleeing northbound through Stringtown at speeds reported up to 100 mph. The pursuit ended when New rammed another citizen’s vehicle and subsequently crashed.
Following the crash, New allegedly fled into a tree-line with a rifle, where he began firing at law enforcement, who returned fire. The suspect then retreated deeper into the woods, and the officers briefly lost sight of him. Sometime later, New emerged from the tree-line several hundred yards north of the scene with his hands raised and was taken into custody.
New was booked into the Atoka County Jail. Further investigation revealed that the crime spree had started in Alabama with a stolen vehicle and firearms.
The investigation has since been handed over to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), who are continuing their investigation.
