The Norman Transcript

Headlines

Related Photos

  • Norman police and fire departments investigate a fire scene where a body was found Wednesday afternoon. Kyle Phillips/The Transcript

    Fatality Fire

Discussion

February 16, 2013

Man and woman apprehended, not formally charged

By Joy Hampton The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Norman police investigators and the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people in the homicide of Patrick Burton, Norman Police Capt. Tom Easley said Friday evening. These persons include a male and a female, neither of whom have been booked or formally charged.

“The investigation remains active, and we appreciate all the assistance we have received from the public, media, and law enforcement regarding this case,” Easley said.

The arrest was made in the area of 29th Street and Sunny Lane in Del City.

Earlier on Friday, Norman police advised they had identified four people as persons of interest in the suspected homicide shooting and arson case that happened earlier this week.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon by Easley, the individuals “attempted to use the victim’s credit cards” around 6 a.m. Wednesday at an area business, some five hours before the body of Burton, age 51, was found at his

Villa Drive residence by Norman firefighters.

The police posted pictures of these persons of interest on the Norman Police Facebook page, resulting in tips from the public which generated new leads for police and led to the arrest, Easley said.

Two persons of interest remain at large. The police have posted pictures of these persons on the Norman Police Facebook page. If anyone recognizes the individuals pictured, call the Norman Police Department at 321-1600 or 321-1444.

Norman firefighters responded to the structure fire call at the residence around 11 a.m. Wednesday. Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey said when firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was coming from a roof vent.

After extinguishing the fire, firefighters found Burton, with thermal burns, lying near a bedroom. The family’s dog, Jake, also was discovered deceased in the home.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed Thursday that Burton died as a result of a gunshot wound, and police ruled the death a homicide.

Burton lived in the home with his mother, Tina Burton, who was out of town at the time of the incident, according to police reports.

Investigators believe someone drove Burton’s white 2004 extended cab Chevrolet pickup truck bearing Oklahoma tag 088AXI from the scene. The truck has white, louvered taillight covers, white, louvered covers over the rear side windows, a NASCAR license plate on the front bumper, a cow bell hanging from the rear bumper and a hard, white bed cover.

 

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Headlines
  • Moore Tornado Moore open for business

    Until an EF-5 tornado carved a path through the economic core of Moore on Monday, sales tax generated more than $2 million each month. In addition to damages, closed roads and utility outages forced many businesses to shut their doors. ...

    May 25, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sharing stories of survival

    MOORE — As Monday’s EF-5 tornado moved closer to Plaza Towers Elementary School, teacher Justin Ayers knew they were in its path. Ayers said all of the teachers at the site likely knew what was coming from television reports and they had ...

    May 25, 2013

  • 5-year-old girl finds silver lining

    A twist of fate and the discovery of a cochlear implant from a Moore hospital damaged by Monday’s EF-5 tornado are part of the story of a precious 5-year-old girl. In December, Jayde Scholl was adopted by Tulsa audiologist Jacque Scholl. ...

    May 25, 2013

  • Disaster central

    WASHINGTON — Many states get hit frequently with tornadoes and other natural catastrophes, but Oklahoma is Disaster Central. The twister that devastated Moore was the 74th presidential disaster declared in the Sooner state in the past 60 ...

    May 25, 2013

  • Okla. legislature adjourned early

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers adjourned the 2013 Legislature on Friday one week earlier than required, wrapping up a session that saw Gov. Mary Fallin advance her agenda to reduce taxes and overhaul the state workers’ compensation ...

    May 25, 2013

  • I-5 bridge falls into river

    MOUNT VERNON — The trucker was hauling a load of drilling equipment when his load bumped against the steel framework over an Interstate 5 bridge. He looked in his rearview mirror and watched in horror as the span collapsed into the water ...

    May 25, 2013

  • Tornadoes impact family twice

    On May 3, 1999, Sherrie Lambert’s sister Esther Coburn, 35, was killed by the devastating EF-5 tornado in Moore....

    May 25, 2013

  • How to help: Community challenge

    Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity is challenging the community to provide long-term aid for storm victims by contributing to efforts that will provide many of these Oklahomans with homes....

    May 25, 2013

  • Obama balances threats to America

    WASHINGTON — Forecasting the changing nature of threats against the U.S. for years to come, President Barack Obama says “America is at a crossroads.” And so, too, is his presidency’s counterterrorism policy, which has long struggled to ...

    May 25, 2013

  • Hotels team up to house influx of tornado victims

    Norman hotels are used to big crowds. Whether it’s the extended family of every graduating senior at OU or tens of thousands of visiting Sooner fans, Norman always finds a way to house them....

    May 25, 2013