Law Officers Search For Holdenville Murder Suspect

Sunday, June 24th 2018, 7:40 pm

By: News 9

A man is dead after being shot Sunday afternoon outside of a grocery store in Holdenville.

Law officers are searching for Tyler R. Deerinwater. He is considered armed and dangerous and could possibly be in southern Hughes or northern Coal counties.

Law officers arrested two other men in connection with the homicide about 4:30 a.m. The suspect vehicle was found just south of the Hughes/Coal county line and Deerinwater, who also goes by Tee Ross, is thought to be on foot in the area.

According to officials, the shooting took place about 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Pruett's Grocery Store on Highway 270.

Police said this was a drive-by shooting. Family told News 9 they don't know why the victim was targeted.

The victim has been identified as Jonathan Merriman. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations confirmed that another person was injured during the shooting.

According to those close to the victim, Merriman was a family man, and they said he may have been followed through town and heckled by the suspect.

Anyone with information about Deerinwater's whereabouts is asked to call 911 and to not approach him.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 9 for updates as information becomes available.