12-Year-Old Runaway Shot, Killed At Midwest City Apartment Complex

Midwest City police need witnesses to the Wednesday shooting death of a 12-year-old boy to come forward.

The boy was shot in the chest at an apartment complex near NE 10th and Midwest Boulevard.

Police said several apartment residents saw the boy suffering and rendered first aid. He was brought to OU Medical Center, but police said he could not be saved.

The state medical examiner's office identified the victim as Roland Jones. 

The 12-year-old’s life was cut short at the Sand Hill Apartments in Midwest City.

“What we’ve gathered from the scene is that apparently our victim and several other juveniles were outside the apartment loitering around when the gunshot was heard,” said Chief Brandon Clabes, Midwest City Police Department.

Everyone ran and left the young victim on the ground to die.

“He had a history of runaways and I know his parents were working close with their child on getting him on the straight path,” said Clabes. “I know his pastor was working with him.”

Clabes said the shooting witnesses are not cooperating and investigators cannot get suspect information. He said it is the sixth homicide in a year in Midwest City with no arrest.

“There’s several people that know what happened last night,” said Clabes. “There are people that know what happened three weeks ago when a 17-year-old was shot and killed and there are people who know what happened to our other homicide victims over the last 12 months but there’s nobody who will speak to us.”

Clabes is frustrated because he wants to bring the murder victims' families justice. He knows some citizens are fearful of police or of retaliation.

“But at the end of the day you got to do what’s right,” said Clabes. “What’s morally right, what’s ethically right. That’s come forward and help us solve these crimes.”

The boy who died and several of the people he was with did not live in the apartment complex.