Oklahoma – In a disturbing incident that shook a small community in Oklahoma, a 41-year-old man, identified as M. Stevens, has been charged several charges after shooting two neighbors due to a disagreement over land clearing activities near his property. This violent incident has left one victim seriously injured and has raised significant concerns about property disputes turning deadly.
According to affidavits and police reports, on the afternoon of September 13, officers from the police department responded to an emergency call about gunfire. Upon arrival, they discovered a victim with two gunshot wounds in his lower back, indicating he had been shot while fleeing. The injured, along with another man who was unharmed physically, were reportedly hired by their property owner to clear brush and trees from a newly purchased five-acre tract of land adjacent to Stevens’ property.
Eyewitnesses and police bodycam footage revealed a tense scene where Stevens was identified by a neighbor as the gunman and was seen surrendering to police. Reports noted that Stevens appeared intoxicated and was immediately taken into custody.
During the arrest, Stevens made unsolicited statements to the police, explaining his anger stemmed from the noise and activity related to land clearing adjacent to his property. The sound of chainsaws triggered Stevens, who then confronted the neighbors. After a brief exchange where one neighbor allegedly “gave him an attitude,” Stevens went back to his home, retrieved an AR-15-style rifle, and began shooting, striking one of the neighbors and targeting the vehicle they were using. This vehicle was later found riddled with bullets, and the injured man crashed it into a tree as a result of his injuries.
The affidavit further details that after the shooting, Stevens retreated to his home and confessed to his wife over the phone that he had shot the workers because he was upset about the land-clearing activity. Stevens faces serious charges including two counts of shooting with intent to kill and three counts of felon in possession of a firearm. Those latter charges are compounded by his previous legal issues, including a guilty plea in a DUI case in 2016, which prohibited him from possessing firearms.
Stevens has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. His case is drawing significant attention not only for the severity of the accusations but also for the implications regarding land ownership rights and the handling of property disputes. The local community has been left in shock by this act of violence over what many see as a minor dispute. The victims, hired by their property owner to simply clear the land, found themselves in a life-threatening situation that highlights the potential for misunderstandings to escalate into serious crimes.
The seriously injured victim was rushed to the hospital and has been undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds and the psychological trauma associated with the event. His recovery is ongoing, as is the legal process to address the crimes committed. As the court date approaches on December 13, the community and families involved await justice, hoping for a resolution that prevents future violence over similar disputes. Meanwhile, law enforcement and legal experts are scrutinizing the details of the case, ensuring all aspects are considered in what promises to be a complex trial given the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
