By KIMBERLY D. MORAVA SNS Staff Writer
HazMat crews decontaminated the restroom of E-Z Mart at U.S. 177 Monday night after a customer left a vaporous gas inside that sickened several people, including a pregnant store clerk.
As the store was evacuated and a perimeter secured, law enforcement authorities statewide were searching for an African-American male who left the store driving a Ryder box truck. That truck was hauling a vehicle covered with a silver tarp, Sheriff Kurt Shirey said.
The driver filled his vehicle with $36 worth of gasoline and paid at the pump, Shirey said, then spent a long time inside the store's restroom.
A store clerk called the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office when another customer went into the restroom and was overcome by some type of odorous vapor. The clerk quickly developed a gagging cough and left the store.
District Attorney's Narcotics Unit agents arrived, along with deputies. Two agents entered the store with protective canister masks, the sheriff said, but the unknown substance or vapor penetrated the masks.
The agents experienced symptoms including headaches, skin and eye irritations and coughs, Shirey said.
"We don't know what the substance is," he said, but authorities have ruled out pepper spray.
The female clerk, who is six months pregnant, said she had red and watery eyes.
Because authorities were unsure of the substance, Shirey called the FBI to assist. At press time, local Hazmat crews suited up in protective suits to enter the store. A representative with the Civil Air Patrol also was on the scene to assist in the decontamination of the restroom area. Samples were being collected for testing.
"With heightened awareness, we're certainly taking every situation seriously," Shirey said.
Shirey hopes to have those test results Tuesday.
Five people, including customers and cola truck driver, also were in the store about 7 p.m. when the incident occurred. If those people have symptoms of any kind, they should get medical attention, Shirey said, and notify the sheriff's office.
Anyone with information on the Ryder truck or its driver should also should call the sheriff's office at (405) 273-4207.
Shawnee firefighters responded to the scene and REACT paramedics were there on a medical standby status, but none of them experienced symptoms. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers and Emergency Management crews also responded to the scene.
C'mon, now. This might be series.
You been eatin' cabbage again, dad?
Whaaaaat? The Civil Air Patrol dispatched for decontamination??? Or is this some sort of extreme punishment duty to clean up latrines everywhere?
Airman Will Stockdale, Permanent Latrine Orderly