A 13-year-old Colbert boy has been taken into custody for suspicion of killing his mother, authorities said.
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Bryan County Sheriff’s deputiesweredispatched at approximately 6:45 p.m. Feb. 27 to a home in the 500 block of Sims Road in Colbert about a fatality.
When deputies arrived, they found the victim, identified as 31-year-old Malary Clayton who had been shot.
The sheriff’s office requested OSBI assistance and the investigation revealed the suspect was the 13-yearold boy, according to OSBI. OSBI said the Oklahoma Highway Patrol issued an emergency alert for the suspect and as law enforcement personnel monitored calls, it was determined that he was southoftheOklahoma/Texas border.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, Denison Police Department, and the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office immediatelybegansearching for the boy.
According to the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Telecommunications Officer Melissa York had completed her shift and was traveling near Highway 75 when she noticed a male walking along FM 691. She noticed that the clothing and items he was carrying matched the description of the suspect. York then contacted dispatch anddeputiestooktheboyinto custody without incident. He was taken to the juvenile detention center.
OSBI said it is still an ongoing investigation and once the investigation is complete, OSBI will provide their report to the Bryan County District Attorney’s Office to determine charges.
In a statement, Bryan County Sheriff Joey Tucker said Clayton’s death is heartbreaking.
“A young mother’s life was taken, and that is something no family, no friends, and no community should ever have to endure,” Tucker said. “On behalf of the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, I want to extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to everyone who loved her. Our prayers are with her family and friends as they walk through unimaginable grief.”
Tucker said the case is especially tragic because of it involving a child.
“There are no winners in a situation like this,” Tucker said. “Two lives and two futures are forever changed. As a father, as a member of this community and as your sheriff, I cannot express strongly enough how heavy this weighs on all of us. We recognize that there is pain on multiple sides of this tragedy, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted.”
The sheriff praised his deputies and the other law enforcement agencies for their professionalism in the case.
“Law enforcement agencies on both sides of the Red River came together without hesitation, and because of that coordination, the suspect was safely located and taken into custody,” Tucker said.
According to Tucker, his office will continue to work closely with the District Attorney’s Office as the investigation and legal process moves forward.
“Right now, our focus is on compassion, on truth, and on supporting our community through this difficult time,” Tucker said. “We ask that everyone allow space for the families involved to grieve privately and respectfully. Please keep them in your prayers. Bryan County is a strong community. In moments like this, we lean on one another, we lean on our faith, and we move forward together.”
In other news, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal hit and run that happened at 6:54 a.m. Monday on Highway 69 southbound north of exit 2 in Colbert.
According to OHP, an unidentified pedestrian male was found deceased on the shoulder of US-69 and it appeared he was struck by an unknown vehicle.