In a tragic turn of events on a Sunday afternoon, 74-year-old Steven Pence, a retired Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office lieutenant, was shot and killed by law enforcement at his home near Wellston, Oklahoma, on February 8, 2026. The fatal encounter unfolded after Pence's wife placed a distressing 911 call at approximately 2:43 p.m., reporting that her husband was armed with a gun, threatening suicide, and had a history of suicidal ideations.
The situation was further complicated by the presence of their daughter and young granddaughter in the house, as Pence was reportedly waving the firearm around.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the distressing episode stemmed from an internet scam that had ensnared Pence. His wife informed dispatchers that he believed he was in a romantic relationship with a celebrity and had been sending money to them. This financial and emotional deception is believed to have contributed to his agitated state. Prior to the arrival of Lincoln County deputies, officers from the Wellston and Kickapoo tribal police departments were on the scene for about 20 minutes, attempting to de-escalate the situation without success. Dispatchers were in contact with Pence's wife and daughter, urging them to leave the residence. While the daughter and granddaughter were able to get to safety, his wife refused to leave.
By 3:03 p.m., Pence had moved to the backyard but remained armed and unresponsive to officers' commands. Two Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers arrived at the scene at 3:16 p.m. In an attempt to resolve the standoff without lethal force, officers first deployed bean bag rounds to try and disarm Pence. However, the situation escalated, and at 3:17 p.m., shots were fired after he allegedly pointed his weapon at the officers. Emergency medical services were immediately dispatched, but Pence was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has taken the lead in the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation also responding to the scene. In accordance with standard procedure, the two troopers and one Lincoln County deputy who fired their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. As the inquiry into the precise circumstances of the shooting continues, no arrests have been made, and there are no outstanding suspects. The incident has left the community and the law enforcement agencies involved grappling with the unfortunate outcome of a mental health crisis that ended in a beloved family member's death.
