Paul Stephen Bernius IV, a 46-year-old man, was killed in his Broken Arrow, Oklahoma home on Sunday, September 19, 2021. The incident was the culmination of an escalating conflict with his tenant. In the weeks leading up to his death, Bernius had sought legal protection against 21-year-old Cody William O'Bryan, who was renting a room in his house. Bernius had filed for a protective order, stating he felt threatened by O'Bryan, who had refused to vacate the property after being given notice.
This protective order was dismissed shortly before the fatal confrontation.
On the evening of September 19th, a dispute reportedly erupted between the two men over the thermostat. The argument escalated into a physical fight, which ended when O'Bryan retrieved a gun and shot Bernius multiple times. Broken Arrow police were called to the residence after reports of gunfire. Upon their arrival, they discovered Bernius with several gunshot wounds to his chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation quickly pointed to Cody William O'Bryan as the primary suspect. Aided by U.S. Marshals, the Broken Arrow Police Department's Special Operations Team located and arrested O'Bryan in Jenks, Oklahoma, less than 24 hours after the shooting. Investigators learned that the two men knew each other and there had been ongoing issues at the residence. O'Bryan was subsequently charged with first-degree murder. In April 2023, he was convicted of second-degree murder for killing his landlord and was later sentenced to 33 years in prison.
