Police said that a 26-year old man was being held after one person was shot and killed, as well as seven others were hurt in the shooting at an eastern Oklahoma outdoor festival. Witnesses described panicked people running for safety amid gunfire.
Skyler Buckner was arrested and turned himself in to Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office Sunday afternoon, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. OSBI stated that the victims of the Memorial Day shooting in Taft (located 45 miles (72 km) southeast Tulsa), ranged in age between 9 and 56.
OSBI reported that a 39-year-old female was killed. The injuries of those wounded were considered non-life-threatening.
OSBI previously stated that two juveniles had been injured during the shooting, but Sunday’s statement said that only one juvenile was hurt.
The agency stated that witnesses claimed an argument preceded gunfire shortly after midnight.
Sylvia Wilson, owner of Taft’s Boots Cafe who was open at that time to accommodate a large number of people visiting the small town, said, “We heard many shots and we thought they were firecrackers at the beginning.” “Then, people started running and ducking. We were shouting at everyone to get down Wilson called The Associated Press on Sunday morning from the cafe and said, “Get down!”
The event at Taft was attended by approximately 1,500 people. Taft is home to a small population of only a few hundred people. OSBI stated that members of the Muskogee Sheriff’s Office were present and began to render aid immediately.
Jasmayne Hill, who was at a food truck during this event, said that bullets were “literally flying everywhere.”
Hill claimed that she and Tiffany Walton (the owner of the food truck) dived to the truck’s floors to avoid being shot.
Hill stated that “we’re thinking we are safe, and the bullets were like going through the bottom on the food truck.” We are thankful that they didn’t strike us.
Neicy Bates was operating another food truck with her husband when the shots rang. Tulsa World asked her to explain that most people were “just going to the ground trying get out of the way”.
“People were screaming. Some tried to flee. She said that cars were leaving and trying to avoid hitting each other.”
Walton, who lives near Taft, stated that the town’s Memorial Day weekend festival has been going on for many decades.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt expressed gratitude to the OSBI for its “swift response” to help local police via Twitter.
Wilson said that her cafe was located about 100 feet (30 m) away from the scene where the shooting took place. Wilson stated that law enforcement was on the scene earlier to assist with security and that officers responded quickly to the shooting.
Wilson stated that “We are upset” and added: “But everything’s getting back to normal… “The danger is gone.”
Buckner was held in Muskogee County Jail on Sunday. According to jail records, Buckner did not have an attorney.
