A 16-year-old boy allegedly robbed an elderly couple in their home before raping a woman and murdering a teacher in front of his family.

Deonte Green was arrested on suspicion of murder, rape and kidnapping after terrorising a neighbourhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He is said to have broken into the couple's house and forced them to drive to a cash machine before stealing their money and a handgun.

He then made them return home where he raped the elderly woman, said Tulsa police sergeant Dave Walker.

After leaving the pensioner, around 30 minutes later he encountered a woman leaving her home on a nearby street with her daughters. He forced them inside and was confronted by the woman's husband, Shane Anderson.

“The husband fought with Green, and Green shot the husband,” said Sgt Walker. “The husband continued to struggle with Green before collapsing inside the house.”

Mr Anderson, 44, a geography teacher at Oneta Ridge Middle School, died from his injuries.

Shane Anderson was shot dead at his home in Tulsa (Broken Arrow Public Schools)

Green fled on foot and 12 hours later allegedly, he allegedly pulled a gun on another couple.

He was spotted fleeing that robbery by police, who arrested him. He was remanded in custody at Tulsa jail.

Police believe Green was part of a gang of youths who have carried out a string of car thefts and burglaries in the area.

“His crimes continued to escalate," said police sergeant Shane Tuell. "Calling it a tragedy doesn’t do it justice."

Mr Anderson's school paid tribute to him after what it described as "a terrible and senseless act of violence".