ANTLERS, OK – A peaceful Tuesday morning in Antlers, Oklahoma, turned into a scene of tragedy when gunfire erupted, taking the life of a 19-year-old man. Authorities with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) have confirmed that one person has been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting, which happened very early on June 10. The community is now reeling from this sudden act of violence.
According to OSBI, officers from the Antlers Police Department were called to a home near Northwest C Street and Northwest Fifth Street just after 2 a.m. The call was about a shooting, and when police arrived, they found the victim, identified as Kaden Neese, 19, already dead from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. Emergency workers confirmed that Neese had passed away at the scene, leaving a family in unimaginable pain.
Following a quick investigation, authorities soon identified 22-year-old Andrew Ragan as the main suspect. Investigators say that Ragan shot Neese during an argument and then ran away from the scene. Police were able to find Ragan at another home nearby, on Northwest Third Street, and he was taken into custody without any trouble. He is now facing a serious charge.
Ragan was later booked into the Pushmataha County Jail on a complaint of First Degree Murder. At this time, the reason behind the shooting has not been shared by officials. It’s also not confirmed if Ragan and Neese knew each other, or what exactly led to the fatal encounter. The investigation is still very much active as authorities work to understand all the details.
The OSBI is now working closely with the Antlers Police Department to put together all the pieces of this tragic event. Crime scene investigators have carefully examined both locations involved in the incident – where the shooting took place and where Ragan was found. They are continuing to gather evidence, talk to anyone who might have seen what happened, and review any security camera footage that could help them.
“This is a heartbreaking incident for the community of Antlers,” said a spokesperson from OSBI. “Our agents are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served.” The small southeastern Oklahoma town is in shock. Friends and family of Kaden Neese have started sharing emotional messages online, remembering him as a young man with a bright future that was tragically cut short. Local residents are also using social media to offer their condolences and to call for an end to the rising violence affecting even small towns like theirs. The OSBI has promised to share more information as the investigation moves forward.
