Friends Grieve After Woman Found Shot To Death In Chickasha

Police have not officially released the names of the victims, but close friends told News 9 the estranged couple was married for 30 years and was apparently about to file for divorce.

Friends of the family also said no one saw this coming.

The call went out just before 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

According to police, a man identified by close friends as Patrick Atkinson, also known as "Buck," called his daughter and told her he was going to kill her mother, 56-year-old Phyllis Atkinson.

When police arrived, Phyllis was found inside her home shot to death.

Teresa Hebblethwaite said she was Phyllis' best friend.

"I was a friend, a good friend of Phyllis', and she was a good friend," said Hebblethwaite. "And she was a good person."

Hebblethwaite said Patrick and Phyllis were preparing to file for divorce after an apparent affair.

"And he did love her, and they loved each other," Hebblethwaite added.

2/25/2014 Related Story: One Dead, One Injured In Chickasha Shooting

Police said Patrick shot himself in the head but was still alive when he was taken to the hospital.

He died a short time later.

"It's something that is extremely rare for our community," said Asst. Chief Elip Moore. "It's just very tragic for the families involved."

"This should not have happened," said Hebblethwaite. "This is the last thing that could have happened to her."

Family friends also mentioned that the couple will leave behind a daughter and two young grandchildren.