Tulsa police officer charged with murder

Charges of First-Degree Murder and Shooting with Intent to Kill were filed today against Shannon Kepler, 54.

He is accused of the murder of Jeremy D. Lake, 19 and with shooting at Lisa Kepler, 18on August  5 near 200 North Maybelle in Tulsa. Kepler is a 24-year veteran Tulsa Police officer. He was not on duty at the time of the shooting.

Kepler’s wife Gina Kepler, who is also a Tulsa Police officer, was arrested by police for accessory after the fact. The district attorney declined to file a charge against Gina Kepler, saying there is insufficient evidence at this time to support that charge.

“Kepler is presumed innocent under the Constitution and Oklahoma law until sufficient evidence is presented to a judge or jury to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris.

After an initial arraignment a judge will set a date for a preliminary hearing at which time the State of Oklahoma has the burden of proof to present evidence of probable cause in support of the charges filed.  The investigation by the Tulsa Police Department is ongoing.