Neighbor Says OKC Man Who Shot, Killed His Grandson Is Peaceful

A long-time neighbor says the man who shot and killed his grandson Sunday night is a peaceful neighbor.

Monday, March 5th 2012, 11:43 pm

By: News 9

Neighbor Says OKC Man Who Shot, Killed His Grandson Is Peaceful

By Steve Shaw, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A long-time neighbor says the man who shot and killed his grandson Sunday night is a peaceful neighbor.

Police say the emotions involved in domestic disputes make them almost as dangerous to respond to as other more violent crimes.

A police spokesman told News 9 what happened Sunday night in the 3700 block of N.W. 14th street was "cut and dry" self-defense. It's the third time in less than three months a local person shot a family member. Two of these cases were fatal.

Through his screen door Monday morning, 80-year-old George McPhetridge told News 9 he'll never be okay after what police are already convinced he was forced to do Sunday night. He shot and killed his 26-year-old grandson, who police say lunged at McPhetridge with a knife.

"He wouldn't hurt a flee, unless it was forced on him," Laura Strickland said.

Laura Strickland lives a few doors down. She's known McPhetridge more than four decades.

"He'd drive by roll down the window and wave at me. Just friends like. He's a good guy," Strickland said.

"Any case can turn dangerous," Oklahoma City Police Spokesman Gary Knight said.

Gary Knight says police undergo special training for domestic disputes because they're so unpredictable.

"We train very hard for what we do because it can be dangerous," Knight said.

Just last week, in a house on the 700 block of 47th street, a woman shot her son.

Then, in a completely bizarre case in January, police say D. Abbott shot and killed his son.

Back on Northwest 14th Street, Laura Strickland looks forward to seeing her old friend again.

"It seems like things are different today. There are so many kids that don't work. They want money, so many of them are on dope," Strickland said.

Police spokesman Gary Knight says these recent examples of domestic violence drive home the point that domestic violence involves much more than angry husbands, wives, girlfriends, and domestic partners.

We've also learned McPhetridge filed a protective order against his grandson last year, but later dismissed it.