In the winter of 2021, the life of 40-year-old Austin Standeford, a Native American man, was cut short in a violent encounter at a bar in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. On the evening of December 13th, Standeford was at the Kickstand Saloon where an altercation erupted, leading to his death and that of another man, Van Parson. Standeford, who was working at the saloon, was fatally shot during the incident.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly pointed to 51-year-old Gregory Rogers
of Tulsa as the primary suspect. The day after the shooting, Rogers turned himself in to the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office. He was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The Bartlesville Police Department led the investigation, with the FBI also getting involved due to Standeford's Native American heritage. During the investigation, it was revealed that both Standeford and Parson had affiliations with the Mongols Motorcycle Club, though it was unclear if this was a factor in the shooting.
The case against Gregory Rogers proceeded to trial, where the events of that fatal night were scrutinized. Witnesses testified that an argument between Rogers and Standeford escalated after Rogers made advances toward Standeford's girlfriend. Parson, who was providing security at the bar, intervened to de-escalate the situation and escort Rogers out. The defense argued that the shooting was an act of self-defense, claiming that Rogers was attacked and fired his weapon while on the ground.
In May 2023, a Washington County jury delivered its verdict. Gregory Lonnell Rogers was found not guilty of first-degree murder and the lesser charge of first-degree manslaughter in the deaths of Austin Standeford and Van Parson. While acquitted of the homicide charges, the jury did find Rogers guilty of a lesser offense: carrying a weapon in a place where alcohol is served.
