OKLAHOMA CITY – A man has died in south Oklahoma City after calling police himself to report his own shooting, leading to a suspect in custody following the death.
Just after 11:30pm on the night of Thursday, July 23rd, OKC police were contacted by 43-year-old Myron Cooper, who reported that he had been shot and gave his location in an area near SE 15th St. and I-35.
Emergency services were dispatched and Cooper was rushed to a nearby hospital, by that time in critical condition.
Police say they learned that Cooper had been shot in a parking lot seven miles away near NE 63rd St. and I-235, but no information has been given regarding how he fled the scene after being shot, if he drove himself, or if someone else drove him.
Detectives believe Cooper’s shooter to be 54-year-old Berry Russell Jr., who they claim had fought with Cooper in the northside parking lot before shots were fired.
Cooper died of his injuries Friday morning, following surgery at the hospital.
Police located and arrested Russell on a first-degree murder complaint Friday afternoon, but are asking anyone with any further information about the shooting or the circumstances that led to it to call their Homicide Tip-Line at (405) 297-1200.
Myron Cooper’s death is Oklahoma City’s 42nd homicide this year.
Note: Charges, information, or claims made by law enforcement have not yet been tested in court. Under the law, all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty before a jury of their peers or a plea of guilt.
Brett Fieldcamp is the owner and Editor in Chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly two decades and served as Arts & Entertainment Editor before purchasing the company from founder Brett Dickerson in 2026.
He is also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.
