Full Notification

The Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office has requested OSBI agents investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred just before 6 o’clock this morning at a home in the area of N310 Road and Smith Road near Morris.

A county deputy responded to a domestic disturbance call at the home. A woman there had called 9-1-1 when her son became enraged. She feared he would become violent and did, in fact, ram her vehicle with her inside during the altercation. When the deputy made contact with Teddy James Bearden, 26, he refused to obey officer commands and struggled with the deputy and two Creek Nation Lighthorse Police officers who had arrived as backup. Bearden was able to get inside his vehicle and rammed one of the officers’ vehicles. Bearden then turned his vehicle toward the officers. The three peace officers fired their weapons at Bearden. Bearden continued to drive north on N310 road. Officers pursued until the suspect crashed his vehicle approximately one half mile from the scene. Bearden was flown to a Tulsa-area hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. His condition is unknown at this time.

OSBI investigative agents and crime scene agents are on the scene collecting evidence and information. The investigative case agent will compile a report and deliver it to the district attorney. The D.A. will determine if the shooting was justified.

Bearden has spent several years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute.