In the early morning hours of April 11, 2024, the small community of Freedom, Oklahoma, was shattered by an act of violence that claimed the life of 70-year-old Gary Neil Bradt. A long-time resident and active community member, Bradt was fatally shot in the entryway of his home near Saddlehorn Drive and Dusty Trail. Woods County deputies, responding to reports of gunshots around 4:00 a.m., discovered Bradt deceased at the scene.
Inside the residence, authorities also found 19-year-old
Timothy Lane Wilcox critically injured in a recliner. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, Wilcox succumbed to his injuries. The investigation into the double homicide quickly revealed that the incident was a planned robbery. Court documents indicate that the suspects targeted Bradt's home with the intent to steal firearms.
Within hours of the discovery, law enforcement apprehended three suspects approximately 28 miles south of Freedom, near Cheyenne Valley. The individuals taken into custody were 20-year-old Elijah Mann, 23-year-old Christopher Padilla, and a 17-year-old female. Padilla reportedly had bloodstains on his hands, which he admitted belonged to Bradt. All three were charged with first-degree murder with deliberate intent.
Further investigation led to the arrests of two more individuals in connection with the murders. On June 20, 2024, 22-year-old Mia Ruth Davis was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and two counts of aiding and abetting felony murder. Five days later, 20-year-old Grant David Gallagher surrendered to authorities. The tragic deaths of Gary Bradt and Timothy Wilcox have left a profound impact on the tight-knit community of Freedom, which has since rallied to support the victims' families.
