Midwest City homicide suspect found after manhunt in Lincoln County
Ryan Archer
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
A suspect in a Midwest City murder was taken into custody this morning in Lincoln County following a two-day manhunt.
Ryan Jacob Archer, 36, was wanted for a fatal shooting Nov. 19 at the Shelton Apartments, 2602 W. Glenhaven Dr. in Midwest City. The victim was identified as 32-year-old Jacob Price.
Midwest City police received an arrest warrant Monday and requested assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s Service in locating Archer.
The U.S. Marshal’s Task Force searched for the suspect Tuesday evening in Lincoln County, near 990 Rd. and 3350 Rd. The search resumed Wednesday morning, and about 11:50 a.m. they found Archer in a wooded area with help from an Oklahoma City Police Department K-9.
“We appreciate the work the U.S. Marshal’s do, and they help anytime we do this,” said Midwest City Chief Greg Wipfli. “They typically find suspect pretty quick.”
Several different agencies, including Midwest City Police Department, assisted with the Marshal’s Task Force.
According to an arrest affidavit, about 11:42 p.m. Nov. 19, Midwest City police were called to the apartment complex. They found Price who had appeared to have been shot. He was bleeding heavily and losing consciousness. He was transported to OU Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses told police that Price had recently broken up with his girlfriend. They both lived in the complex, but the ex-girlfriend moved into another unit after they broke up. On that evening, Price had allegedly seen his ex-girlfriend outside meeting another guy, the report said.
The ex-girlfriend’s roommate told police that Archer came by their apartment to buy some jewelry. While Archer was at the apartment, Price allegedly knocked on the window and asked who the man was and why he was there. The roommate explained the situation and asked Price to leave them alone. She said Price was very jealous of any men that had been around his ex-girlfriend since they broke up.
According to the report, Archer wanted to buy some jewelry but left his wallet in the car. She and two other people walked with him outside due to the problems they had with Price. When they got outside, Price allegedly popped up behind them and chased Archer to the parking lot. They later heard a gun shot but didn’t see the shooting.
Price walked back towards the apartment and had blood coming from his jacket, according to the report.
Surveillance footage from a nearby business allegedly captured the shooting. Police said they could see one male subject approach the driver’s door when another subject came up from behind him. The man who was trying to get into the car was pushed down or tripped in front of the car. He then appeared to fire a shot at the other subject who was standing over him.
Police were able to locate the suspect’s car as he left the scene using a flock camera. The next day, they went to Archer’s house in Wellston but received no answer.
On Nov. 21, Midwest City police received a call from the Stroud Police Department about a woman who said she had information on a shooting. The woman later met with an investigator and said Archer told her about the shooting. She said Archer told her it was self-defense. Police asked if she noticed any visible injuries to him, and the woman said no.
Archer was taken to the Midwest City jail for questioning. He was later transported to the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
