In December 2024, a tragic series of events unfolded in Oklahoma, culminating in the death of 84-year-old Robert Peliti and two others. The violence began in Midwest City, where Richard Dewayne Chambers fatally shot 62-year-old Annie Brown, in whose backyard he had been living. Following the murder, Chambers stole Brown's vehicle and drove towards Pontotoc County.
Later that evening, on December 17, 2024, Chambers' journey brought him to Allen, Oklahoma.
Running low on gas, he began knocking on doors, eventually arriving at the home of Robert and Jackie Peliti, age 70. After a neighbor directed him to the Pelitis' residence for assistance, Chambers entered their home. The encounter turned violent, and he shot both Robert and Jackie.
A neighbor's boyfriend, who had been alerted to Chambers' presence, grew concerned after seeing the stolen vehicle still in the Pelitis' driveway. He discovered the back door open and witnessed a figure moving inside the house before seeing the car drive away. Law enforcement was called to the scene where they found Jackie Peliti deceased from a gunshot wound to the head. Robert Peliti had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.
A manhunt for Chambers ensued, involving multiple law enforcement agencies. He was apprehended the following day, on December 18, 2024, after being found hiding in a barn. Chambers was arrested and booked into the Pontotoc County Jail on multiple murder charges. In November 2025, Richard Dewayne Chambers was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to the three murders.
