Okla. mom, 3 kids dead in suspected murder-suicide following standoff
07/21/2023 2:25 pm PDT
VERDIGRIS, Okla. (TCD) -- Officials said a mother and her three children are dead in a suspected murder-suicide after police engaged in a standoff with the woman.
According to KOTV-TV, on Thursday, July 20, Verdigris Police officers were driving on Dogwood Court at about 4 p.m. when they reportedly noticed fireworks at a home. Police went to the home to investigate and learned a woman had barricaded herself inside with a gun.
Police reportedly tried to contact the woman and a standoff ensued.
The Associated Press reports a SWAT Team from the Cherokee Nation assisted during the incident. A second woman reportedly told police she dropped off a child for a supervised visit but got locked inside the garage with the suspect and the other two children.
The standoff lasted about three hours. When officers went inside, they found the mother and the three children deceased.
According to The Associated Press, officials believe the juvenile victims range in age from a few months to 11 years old.
Police have reportedly visited the home before for domestic and mental health calls.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is leading the case, and officials do not believe any other suspects are involved.
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