Crime
Todd Patterson and Rachel Stewart killed in Suspected Murder-Suicide in Checotah
CHECOTAH, OK — Authorities are investigating a suspected murder-suicide involving a man and woman found dead Tuesday on 2nd Street in Checotah, near a home belonging to relatives of the male victim.
The victims have been identified as Todd Patterson and Rachel Stewart.
According to investigators, both individuals sustained gunshot wounds, and a firearm was recovered at the scene.
While the Medical Examiner’s Office will make the final determination regarding the cause and manner of death, law enforcement officials currently believe no other individuals were involved in the shooting.
At the time of the incident, a child—believed to be Stewart’s—was reportedly inside a nearby vehicle. Investigators do not believe the child witnessed the shooting.
The child is now safe.
In a complex and tragic turn, it has emerged that Stewart previously worked as a caseworker for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS).
She was reportedly assigned to a case involving Patterson’s children. According to the mother of Patterson’s two sons, Stewart and Patterson developed a personal relationship after her involvement as their DHS worker.
DHS confirmed that Stewart was employed with the department from August 2023 until three weeks prior to the incident.
In a statement released Wednesday, the agency said:
“This is a heartbreaking situation. We are continuing to work with local law enforcement during the investigation.”
Patterson’s family expressed shock over the incident, stating that he had been working hard to improve his life and comply with all expectations placed on him.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward.
Further updates are expected to be provided during the evening news broadcasts at 9 and 10 p.m.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.