Wewoka Violence: 6 Suspects Arrested, More Arrests Expected

Law enforcement officials announced that they’ve arrested six people connected to a rash of shootings and violence in Wewoka, and are expecting more arrests in the weeks ahead.

Erik Johnson, district attorney for Pontotoc, Seminole and Hughes counties, said during a news conference Thursday afternoon that over the past few days, law enforcement arrested Mandel Carolina, Timothy Camp, Cortez Camp, Jerod Ridennour, Johnthon Hodge and Brian Huntley.

“There are multiple gun charges, felons in possession of firearm, conspiracy. One of the individuals had warrants out of Texas and one of the individuals had a warrant for a sex offense,” said Johnson.

Johnson said some of the suspects are connected to the deadly shooting at the EZ Mart in Wewoka in September in which a 21-year-old man was killed. The remaining suspects are linked to various other acts of violence in Wewoka, Johnson said.

In addition, Johnson said law enforcement seized four guns.

Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police Chief Chris Coker said the violence in Wewoka stems from two families feuding over the last several months. The families have ties to gangs, he said.

Coker said while there have been several shooting incidents, many of them involve people shooting into the air rather than at people.

An exception was a shooting that happened last month in which a man was hit four times while sitting on a porch, said Coker. The victim was expected to recover and the investigation is ongoing.

Johnson said over the past year, there have been 54 reports of gunfire in Wewoka. But some of the reports may overlap and be in reference to the same incident, Johnson said.

Johnson said 12 members of the U.S. Marshals Service have been helping law enforcement in Wewoka. In addition, District 22’s Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Office of the Inspector General have been working with Wewoka Police and Lighthorse Police to make the latest arrests.

Johnson added that he expected more arrests in the coming weeks. He said he had been in contact with U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson to prosecute the suspects to the full extent of the law.

Johnson said saturation patrols will continue in the weeks ahead.