Metro Family Remembers Loved One Killed From Gunshot Injury, Believes Police Will Catch Suspect

A metro family remains positive that justice will come in the wake of tragedy. Their loved one died this week from complications related to a gunshot injury. 

Related: Security Guard Dead After Being Shot At Metro Nightclub; Police Still Search For Suspect

Oklahoma City Police said Gary Middaugh, 42, was shot earlier this month at a local night club and the suspected gunman has not been arrested.

Related: Security Guard Shot At Metro Nightclub; OKC Police Search For Suspect

The family said they were caught off guard on Monday when Middaugh suddenly passed away. They said he suffered a heart attack related to the shooting injury.  

“He was ready to get back to work and I told him ‘You just got to take it one day at a time and everything will be good,’” Corey Cobb, the shooting victim’s cousin said.

Cobb said that conversation was Monday morning, only hours before his younger cousin died. The 42-year-old security guard was in the Intensive Care Unit at OU Medical Center after being shot in the chest in the parking lot of The Tree Lounge night club.

“’He just went into cardiac arrest after that and they didn’t have no answers for his mother when she got to the hospital,” said Cobb.

As the family grieves Middaugh's death, investigators continue their search for a murder suspect. Police said Middaugh had to escort the suspect out of the northeast Oklahoma City night club earlier this month for causing a disturbance.

“When he was escorting him out,” Captain Valerie Littlejohn, with the Oklahoma City Police Department, said. “The suspect pulled out a gun and shot the security guard in the chest.”

Middaugh's family said he was just doing his job protecting bar patrons and his co-workers. 

“He do that because he loved people, know what I’m saying? Provide a service to the community,” Robert Johnson, the shooting victim’s cousin, said. “He was a good dude, good heart, good spirited. Always helping people out. That’s what I want to remember about my big cousin.”

Johnson cannot imagine why anyone would hurt his cousin. A person they described as a gentle giant with a big heart for everyone he met.

“Appreciate all the support and love coming from all his friends and co-workers and everybody reaching out,” Johnson said. “Gary will be missed.”

Police have not arrested the suspect and ask anyone with information to call the Homicide Tip Line.