In a tragic turn of events at a family gathering, 46-year-old Michael Cole of Edmond, Oklahoma, lost his life on January 3, 2021. The White / Caucasian male was fatally shot multiple times in the chest in the backyard of a home near Coltrane and Simmons Road in Logan County. The gathering was winding down, and family and friends were preparing to depart when the incident occurred.
The man identified as the shooter was Cody Scruggs, Cole's 29-year-old brother-in-law.
Following the shooting, Scruggs fled the scene, prompting a manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Oklahoma City Police and the Guthrie SWAT Team. He was later discovered hiding at a relative's residence in Edmond and was taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities revealed that Scruggs had a criminal past that included drug charges, burglary, and animal cruelty. According to the Logan County Sheriff, Scruggs' behavior had reportedly worsened after the death of his own brother, who had been a suspect in a 2015 shooting. While a definitive motive for the shooting of Michael Cole was not publicly established, it was noted that Scruggs had been emotionally distressed, particularly around the time of his deceased brother's birthday. Following his arrest, Cody Scruggs was charged with first-degree murder and booked into the Logan County Jail.
