Oklahoma City Burglary Victim Dies, Investigation Now a Homicide Case

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A burglary investigation has turned into a homicide case because the victim died hours after two men broke into his southwest Oklahoma City apartment.

Oklahoma City police said the men broke down the door Saturday night into Lester Wallace's apartment at the Pine Ridge Condominiums.

The 49-year-old man told officers he didn't recognize the men. Wallace said they punched and kicked him but didn't steal anything before they left the apartment.  

"He was admitted to the hospital with, at the time we thought, was non-life threatening injuries. We did learn that the next afternoon, mid-afternoon, that the victim had been pronounced deceased," said Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow.

The medical examiner said he died of blunt force trauma and ruled his death a homicide.

Police said the case is now an active homicide investigation.

Anyone with information about the crime should call the homicide tip line at 405-297-1200.