OKC Murder Victim's Mother Offers $10K Reward To Solve Crime

A new reward is being offered for tips leading police to a murder suspect.

The victim’s mother traveled from Pennsylvania to spread the word about the $10,000 reward she is offering for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Malek Higginbotham’s murderer.  

“There’s nothing on this earth that can add up to the love him and I had,” said Iayisha Higginbotham-Bland, victim’s mother.

The grieving mother lost her son and best friend. She said the 21-year-old man was a loving role model for his little sister and family.

“Wasn’t in the gang, wasn’t in a whole bunch of mess,” said Higginbotham-Bland. “He was a typical 21-year-old.”

The young victim was fatally shot in the front yard of a southeast Oklahoma City home on December 29. He was helping a friend move and interrupted a suspect possibly attempting to steal from the moving truck.

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“When he went outside someone was in the truck,” said Higginbotham-Bland. “He might have spooked him and I don’t know, when the person turned around they pulled a gun on him and he started to run and they shot him in the back.”

The victim's girlfriend took a photo of a man running from the murder scene. Police have not identified a suspect in the case and still have very few leads.

“I don’t want his death to be in vain,” said Higginbotham-Bland. “I do not want just because this happened to be swept under the table. I want awareness.”  

So, she saved money and family members pitched in to raise $10,000 to offer as a reward. She believes someone knows who pulled the trigger and ended her son's life.

“I just want this to be over,” said Higginbotham-Bland. “I just want the person to be found.”

If you have information about the murder call the Oklahoma City Police Department’s Homicide Tip line at 405- 297-1200.

The victim's family also plans to hold a vigil at the home where Higginbotham was shot at 6 p.m. Friday, May 4.