Man arrested after reportedly shooting son in head

A father is accused of shooting his 16-year-old son in the head on March 14, Midwest City police said.

Keith Ray Slaughter, Jr., 37, was taken into custody shortly after the incident, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Midwest City police officers responded to an apartment in the 1400 block of N. Midwest Blvd. at approximately 5:45 a.m. after receiving reports of a shooting in progress. The victim was found on the floor of his bedroom lying in a large pool of blood. He was transported to OU Medical Center, where police say he is in stable condition.

Slaughter was located in another person’s apartment and was taken into custody without incident. Officers found him hiding in a linen closet at the end of a hallway.

According to the affidavit, the victim’s mother told investigators that Slaughter arrived at her apartment around 5 a.m., knocking on the door and asking to speak with his son. The mother allowed him inside and returned to bed. She said she could hear the two talking before hearing a gunshot.

When she came out, she found her son on the floor of his bedroom, bloodied and unresponsive. She observed Slaughter standing in the doorway of child’s room holding a black handgun. Slaughter said nothing and quickly left the apartment. The woman called 911 and attempted to follow Slaughter to prevent him from leaving but returned, fearing for her safety.

Two other juveniles were at the apartment at the time of the incident and said they saw Slaughter standing in the doorway with a gun and the victim bleeding on the floor.

Police found a gun, matching the description given by witnesses, hidden under a couch in the apartment where Slaughter was found.

Court records cited in the affidavit show Slaughter has a significant criminal history. He is currently on probation in Oklahoma County and has prior felony convictions for DUI and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, as well as a conviction for carrying a firearm while under the influence and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In 2015, he was convicted in Cleveland County on charges including DUI, child neglect, child endangerment by driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury.

Witnesses also told investigators that Slaughter is known to use PCP and cocaine.

Slaughter was arrested on complaints of domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm while on probation. He was transported to the Midwest City Jail and requested to speak to his attorney, according to the affidavit.