Craig County Prosecutor Shoots Burglar Inside Her Home, Police Say

Thursday, December 10th 2015, 2:24 pm

By: News On 6

A Green Country prosecutor shot a man who broke into her home; the Rogers County sheriff called her a good shot.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Rogers County Sheriff's Office are gathering evidence after they said the intruder kicked in the back door and was met by homeowner Erin Oquin, who was armed with a gun.

Oquin's home is in the middle of a rural area in Rogers County. Neighbors said it's small enough where everyone knows each other, especially Oquin, a Craig County assistant district attorney and former judge.

Neighbor Elvera Pankratz said, "Knowing Erin and who she is, I just can’t believe anyone...and that far off the road, people don't usually break into a house that far off the road."

Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton said, "We don't know if he knew whether that house was occupied or not, but he found out shortly after he entered it.”

Walton said Bryan Starkey kicked in the back door and came face to face with Oquin who shot him in the chest.

"He flees from the house, gets in the car and drives a mile down the road to a dead end," Walton said.

An Inola police officer found Starkey shot.

Walton said, “She was a victim in her home, with a very high expectation of safety and privacy, and an intruder comes in and she was ready to deal with it and did so."

Walton said Starkey is a serial burglar who, he believes, is linked to many burglaries in the area.

“If more of these ended like this we wouldn't have as many of these crimes,” said Walton.

Neighbors hope other burglars take a hint.

"If anyone in this area tries to break in, look out," Pankratz said.

It could be awhile before Starkey is booked into jail because of his injuries.

OSBI is assisting in the investigation because of Oquin's close ties to the county.