On an April afternoon in 2023, the life of 20-year-old Robenie 'RJ' Long Jr., a White male, was tragically cut short on the campus of Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Long, a student and a proud United States Marine Corps reservist, was walking with a female classmate near the Humanities building on April 24th when they were confronted by a man later identified as Brandon Morrissette, the woman's estranged husband.
The confrontation quickly escalated as Morrissette, fueled
by the erroneous belief that Long was having an affair with his wife, produced a pistol. In a violent outburst, Morrissette shot Long, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses described a scene of chaos that was soon met with a swift police response. Campus police apprehended Morrissette shortly after the shooting without any further incident. He was found on his knees with his hands raised, surrendering to the authorities.
Following the investigation, it was determined that the shooting was a targeted act stemming from the domestic issues between Morrissette and his wife. She maintained that Long was simply a friend and classmate. Morrissette, who was 30 at the time of the incident, was arrested and subsequently charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm on school property. The case proceeded to trial, where a jury found Brandon Morrissette guilty of the charges against him. He was later convicted of first-degree murder for the shooting death of RJ Long.
In the wake of his death, Robenie Long was remembered by friends and family as a hero who had sacrificed himself to protect another. His family described him as a caring and dedicated young man, a 2021 graduate of McLoud High School who was pursuing higher education while serving his country. The Rose State College community held memorials to honor his memory, and the tragic event prompted discussions about campus safety and support for those affected by domestic disputes.
