Wednesday, August 6th 2014, 7:43 am
Tulsa Police arrested two officers Tuesday night in connection with a deadly shooting.
Sergeant Dave Walker identified them as Shannon Kepler, 54, and his wife, Gina Kepler, 48.
Walker says police were called about a shooting in the 200 block of North Maybelle at 9:16 p.m. That is where they found the body of Jeremy Lake, 19.
According to jail records, Lake was walking with the Keplers' daughter when they were confronted by a man driving a black 2007 Suburban. The daughter told police she recognized the SUV as her father's so she walked over and spoke to him. She told police her father asked what she was doing in that area and she walked away. That's when Lake approached the Suburban and told Kepler he was the daughter's boyfriend, she told police.
The daughter said her father shot Lake two or three times, then shot at her two or three times, but missed. Kepler then drove off, according to the daughter.
A woman who said she's a relative of Lake told News On 6 he volunteered at the Day Center for the Homeless and met the Keplers' daughter there when she needed a place to stay, and she had been staying with him and his family recently.
8/5/2014:Related Story: Tulsa Police Officer Involved In Fatal Shooting Of 19-Year-Old Man
Sgt. Walker said detectives called Kepler's wife, Gina, and she told them she knew why they were calling. She told them she was with her husband but they were not at home, according to jail records.
After "an extended period of time," the report says, Gina Kepler called back and said she and her husband would surrender at the detective division.
She told them she would put the weapon used in the shooting in the trunk of her car.
The Keplers later arrived at the detective division with an attorney.
In a news release, Sgt. Walker said "enough evidence was developed to arrest Shannon Kepler for first-degree murder and Gina Kepler for accessory to murder after the fact." Police booked them into the Tulsa County jail.
Detectives are still looking for the Suburban and the weapon used in the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.
Tulsa Police say each of the Keplers has been with the department for 24 years. They've been placed on administrative leave.
Update: TPD Chief Chuck Jordan released the following statement about 1 p.m.
"Last night two Tulsa Police officers, Shannon Kepler and Gina Kepler, were arrested. Both have 24 years of experience with the Tulsa Police Department. This case, like all homicide investigations, leaves little information that can be released due to the ongoing investigation.
Shannon Kepler was booked into the Tulsa County jail for 1st Degree Murder and Shooting with Intent to Kill. Gina Kepler was booked for Accessory after the Fact.
I as well as the whole Department am saddened for both families involved in this tragic event. The circumstances around this incident drives home the fact that domestic violence is a societal problem and transcends all economic groups.
We as a department, honorably and objectively, continue to serve the citizens of Tulsa."
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