In what began as a quiet Thursday in a Midwest City neighborhood, a family dispute escalated into a tragedy that claimed the life of 59-year-old Rex Pellerin. The fatal encounter unfolded on April 4, 2024, leaving a community in shock and a family torn apart by violence.
The events leading to Pellerin's death reportedly started with a seemingly minor disagreement over lunchtime. According to court documents, Pellerin's 15-year-old grandson, who was being homeschooled, asked to eat lunch.
An argument ensued, during which the teenager alleged that his grandfather yelled at him, called him a 'fatty,' and slapped him across the face. This confrontation, however, appeared to be the culmination of a history of alleged abuse. The teenager told investigators that his grandfather had been abusive towards him, his siblings, and his mother in the past.
The dispute took a deadly turn when the grandson allegedly retrieved his grandfather's own gun from a bedroom. He then reportedly shot Pellerin multiple times in the chest. A roommate of Pellerin's witnessed the grandson standing in the living room holding the gun and immediately called 911. When police arrived at the home on Rolling Lane Circle, they found Pellerin in the front yard with several gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 15-year-old grandson was taken into custody and, according to police reports, confessed to the shooting. He reportedly told investigators that he believed killing his grandfather was the only way to ensure he could no longer be hurt. He was arrested on a first-degree murder complaint. Due to his age, his name has not been publicly released pending the filing of formal charges. The incident has left neighbors and the community grappling with the shocking nature of the violence and the family history that may have led to it.
