MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Muskogee police are investigating after a man and five children were killed Tuesday morning.
Authorities said Jarron Pridgeon shot and killed Jalaiya Pridgeon,1, Jaidus Pridgeon, 3, Harmony Anderson,5, Neveah Pridgeon, 6, Que’dynce Anderson, 9, and Javarion Lee, 24. Lee is the suspects's brother. Brittany Anderson, the children's mother, is in a Tulsa hospital. Her sister told 2 Works for You she is doing a bit better today.
GALLERY: Photos of the victims killed in Muskogee
Three other children in the home were not injured. They are in custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. A family member said they expect to reunite with the surviving children in a few days.
Muskogee police officers responded to a call of multiple people shot at a home in the 900 block of Indiana around 1:30 Tuesday morning. Arriving at the home they found a person with a gun.
"One of our officers shot, fired at that suspect, missing him. The suspect ran off," said Lynn Hamlin, public information officer with Muskogee police.
Officers chased the man and after a short chase took him into custody. Muskogee police identified the suspect Pridgeon. They said he is not being cooperative with the investigation. Police said the suspect and all victims lived in the home.
Pridegeon was arraigned Tuesday afternoon and has a second court hearing Wednesday.
Inside the home, officers found a man and four children dead.
"They discovered four small children had been shot and one adult male," said Hamlin.
Emergency crews took a wounded child to a Tulsa hospital by helicopter, that child later died. A woman was also taken to a Tulsa hospital with life threatening injuries, police said she is awake and stable.
Muskogee Public Schools said two of the victims went to Creek Elementary.
“We are saddened by this tragic loss and our deepest sympathies go out to all of those impacted,” said Dr. Jarod Mendenhall, Superintendent of Muskogee Public Schools. “No words can adequately express our sadness in losing these students and our thoughts and prayers are with this family.”
The school is working with Green Country Behavioral Health to provide grief counseling throughout the week. The district is notifying Creek Elementary parents and brief them on the support system for the students.
The mayor of Muskogee also released a statement about the tragic deaths.
— Mayor Marlon Coleman, Muskogee (@MayorMuskogee) February 2, 2021
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Muskogee police are investigating and said they'll release more information as it develops. 2 Works for You will update as we learn more.
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