TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa Police say they have arrested a suspect in connection to the deaths of two people found dead Monday morning in their south Tulsa home.
Detectives arrested 40-year-old Bryan Spence, the son of the victims, Beverly and Joseph Spence.
The investigation started around 8:45 a.m Monday, when someone called police about an abandoned SUV just north of the football field at Jenks East Elementary School. Officials with Jenks East Elementary and Jenks East Intermediate went on Administrative Alert as police investigated. Students had recess inside and could move between buildings, if accompanied by a staff member.
Officers say they found rifles inside the vehicle. The SUV's records led detectives to a home on East 88th Street and Braden Avenue.
Officers smelled a strong gas odor coming from the home, so they called the Tulsa Fire Department and hazmat crews.
After evacuating several nearby homes, authorities found the victims dead inside. According to the affidavit, both victims had been shot to death.
During an interview with investigators, Bryan Spence stated he was not in Tulsa the day or night before, says the affidavit. After more investigation, police found one of the victim's iPad had text messages between Bryan Spence and his father.
According to the affidavit, the victim told Bryan Spence he was going to travel to Stillwater to collect money Bryan owed him. However, Bryan Spence said he would come to Tulsa instead, prompting the victim to say he had a bed waiting for Bryan in Tulsa.
On March 1, the daughter of the victims texted with her mother, who said Bryan Spence was at their home in Tulsa at that moment. According to the affidavit, Bryan Spence denied ever being at his parents' home or in Tulsa.
During the investigation, Bryan Spence gave his cell phone to police where it was discovered that Bryan Spence had deleted his messages with his father, later stating he didn't realize he had, says the affidavit. Bryan Spence also stated he drives a 2006 white Nissan Armada, to which investigators found video surveillance showing a white Nissan Armada driving towards the victims' home around 7 p.m. on March 1.
Bryan Spence first said he traveled to Tulsa to collect $3,000 from his father, according to the affidavit. Bryan, after being confronted with his father's text messages, stated he owed his father $17,000.
Bryan Spence was booked on two complaints of first degree murder, according to booking report.
Bryan Spence's bond has been set at $2 million, that's $1 million per complaint, according to the judge. His next court date has been schedule for March 9.
If Spence makes bond, the judge stated he would have to surrender his passport, any guns, and he would be on house arrest.
To view the full affidavit, click here.
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