Large Fight Breaks Out In Okla. County Courtroom During Convicted Murderer's Sentencing

Chaos broke out on Tuesday inside an Oklahoma County Courthouse courtroom.

The large fight started during a murder suspect's sentencing. The judge ordered deputies to escort several people out of the building to finish the hearing.

Emotions ran high during the sentencing for 28-year-old Khalil Warren. Shouting started while family members of Daniel Howard, 22, gave victim impact statements. Deputies went into action to bring order to the courtroom.

Once the hearing resumed, the murder victim's mother went before the judge asking for the maximum sentence for what she called a mass shooting.

“I wanted the judge to see that it wasn’t self-defense and he also shot four innocent victims,” said Stephanie Howard, the victim’s mother.

A detective testified at the sentencing that Howard died in the parking lot of Sunset Patio Bar in the early morning hours of New Year's Day 2023. Another victim was shot in the neck and three others sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Warren in Pennsylvania two months after the deadly shooting. Warren's family and friends sat near him near during the two-hour long hearing. 

“Even though he is behind bars he still has support from his family,” said Howard.

“Daniel will never, we will never ever get to see or talk to him again. So, I’m happy for the justice we got today.”

Warren had very little to say after the judge sentenced him to life in prison for Howard's death and four more sentences for the injured victims. Warren told News 9 as he was escorted back to jail that he had a lot of remorse but did not want to comment further.

The victim's older brother told the judge Howard was a college football player and had dreams of going to the NFL. He blamed Warren for ending that dream.

Two other suspects were arrested for the deadly New Year’s Day shooting. The state dismissed an accessory to murder charge against J'Coal Glover and Destiny Adams was convicted on the same charge last year.