Two killed as teenager goes on shooting spree

A teenager upset by complaints about his driving shot four neighbours, killing two of them, then went on a 20-mile shooting spree, apparently targeting people at random, police said.

Daniel Fears, 18, was arrested after losing control of his pick-up truck and crashing near a police roadblock, authorities said. As police cars surrounded him, he threw out a rifle and surrendered, said Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Kym Koch.

Authorities had not discovered a motive for the rampage on Saturday, but police said they believed Fears became angry when a neighbour scolded him for driving recklessly in the middle-class neighbourhood.

‘‘A man got on to him for driving erratically because he said he almost hit some kids,’’ Koch said.

Some people in Sallisaw, Oklahoma wondered if Fears was mimicking the sniper attacks in the Washington area.

‘‘I think it’s a copycat thing,’’ said Camellia Conley, a hotel employee. ‘‘He’s been a rebel without a cause. He was always a loner, and always wore a black trench coat.’’

Koch said such speculation was premature. ‘‘It’s way too early to say it’s a copycat,’’ Koch said.

Fears was described as a polite student who worked part-time at a Wal-Mart store and lived with his mother.

On Saturday, after neighbour Greg Caughman complained to Fears about his driving, Fears broke into his father’s house and stole a shotgun, Koch said.

Police say he then shot Caughman, who was in a nearby yard, hitting the man in the back and in the neck, and wounding his two-year-old daughter, who was sitting in a truck nearby. Both were taken to hospital.

Fears then shot two other neighbours, Patsy and Elvie Wells. Patsy Wells, hit in the face and leg, died. Her husband was hit in the chest and was in a fair condition in hospital.

Police said Fears then got into his pick-up and headed east on highway US 64, stopping at a car dealership and firing on a shopper.

Ronnie Boswell of Muskogee, owner of the dealership, said a woman was killed while shopping for a new truck for her son and a salesman was wounded.

The salesman, Jim Nunn of Muskogee, tried to get away, but the gunman ‘‘shot him in the chest and knocked him off the curb into the street and then shot him in the back,’’ Boswell said.

Police said Fears continued firing as he drove down the highway, hitting a motorist and wounding two people who were shopping at a roadside store.

After he drove away, he shot into the car of another man, hitting him in the arm and chest, authorities said. A short time later, he shot a pedestrian walking with her children in the town of Muldrow, injuring the woman, authorities said.

Fears also shot at but did not hit a police officer from Muldrow, Koch said. He surrendered after flipping his truck into a ditch as authorities chased him, Koch said.