By NATE KING
Salina Post
A dispute over an alleged vehicle burglary escalated into a physical fight and an alleged BB gun shooting in Salina on Friday, resulting in the arrests of two men.
According to Salina Police Department (SPD) Cpt. James Feldman, officers were sent to the area of North Ninth Street and Stimmel Road after receiving reports of a physical altercation between two men.
Upon arrival, officers contacted Ekko Okey, a 51-year-old Salinan and 43-year-old Joshua Angley, also of Salina.
"Ekko stated that he believed that Joshua Angley had entered his vehicle, so he tracked him down to confront him," Cpt. Feldman said. "He [Ekko] exited his vehicle with a BB gun after supposedly after Joshua Angley commented, either that he would put a bullet in Mr. Ekko's head, or the other comment was that he was going to whoop his [Ekko's] ass."
In response, Ekko claimed he shot Angley five to seven times in the chest with the BB gun. Angley, however, denied being shot with the BB gun.
Due to conflicting statements, no immediate arrests were made at the scene.
Officers later visited the Budget Host Inn at 222 East Diamond Drive, where Ekko stayed. The management provided video evidence showing Angley entering Ekko's vehicle and possibly removing an item. Although Ekko stated he did not notice anything missing from his vehicle, officers arrested Ekko for aggravated assault and battery.
Officers located Angley at 809 North Broadway. When officers attempted to arrest him, he resisted and tried to flee. He was apprehended and was charged with burglary of a vehicle, theft, interference with law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.