5 Arrested After Drive-By Shooting In SE OKC

A drive-by shooting happened on the southeast side of Oklahoma City just before 5 p.m. on Monday evening. 

Wednesday, February 1st 2023, 8:15 pm



A drive-by shooting on a southeast Oklahoma City street on Monday has residents there on edge and wondering who the suspects were targeting. Investigators did not indicate the motive behind the shooting, but court documents showed the five suspects arrested in connection to the shooting have ties to local gangs.

Resident Angie Purcell heard the gunshots just before 5 p.m. on her street located near southeast 22nd and High Avenue.  

“It sounded like at least four maybe five [gunshots],” said Angie Purcell.  

Another neighbor told police she saw a suspicious red car leave their street and took a picture. During their investigation, officers found spent shell casings in the street in front of two homes but did not report seeing any damage or injuries to residents.

When asked if Purcell thought a specific house was the target she replied, “It’s hard to tell. I really don’t think they are,” said Purcell. “I think it’s random stuff to be honest.”

Officers patrolling the area spotted a car matching the one from the drive-by shooting leaving the Plaza Inn motel near southeast 29th and the I-35 Service Road.

“A traffic stop was conducted,” said Sgt. Dillon Quirk, Oklahoma City Police Department. “One person was taken into custody after this traffic stopped connected to that shooting.”

Police said the driver, 22-year-old Lathaniel Clay was interviewed, arrested, and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center. Investigators learned four other suspects were at the motel where Clay was seen leaving and was associated. During a search of their room officers found three pistols and a rifle. Police said the suspects were known gang members and four of them had prior felony convictions. They were all arrested in connection to the drive-by shooting and other alleged crimes.

“I call whenever I hear gunshots and I’ve often wondered what happens,” said Purcell. “What the police end up finding so I’m really glad to know that they caught somebody.”

Clay was the only arrested suspect who does not have a criminal history in Oklahoma County.

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