In the winter of 2019, the life of 35-year-old Carnesha Patrice Powell was tragically cut short in a violent encounter that also claimed the lives of two others in Oklahoma City. On January 7th, Carnesha, along with her 15-year-old daughter Roshawna Stevens and 44-year-old Elijah X. Mothershed Bey, were found deceased inside their home at 1129 N. Standish Avenue. The grim discovery was made during a welfare check after concerned individuals were unable to reach the family.
All three victims had been shot.
Investigators believe that Elijah likely opened the door for their assailant, as his body was discovered near the entrance of the home with a gunshot wound to the temple, and there were no signs of forced entry. It appeared that Carnesha and her daughter were attempting to flee when they were shot. Carnesha sustained gunshot wounds to the top of her head and neck, while Roshawna was shot in the forehead and shoulder. The scene did not suggest a robbery or a struggle, as nothing was reported stolen from the residence. The motive behind the killings remains a mystery.
The case has been particularly challenging for law enforcement, and to date, no suspects have been publicly identified or arrested in connection with the triple homicide. The lack of resolution has left a void in the community and profound grief for the families of the victims. Family members have expressed difficulties in keeping police attention focused on the case in the years that have followed. Interestingly, the house where the murders occurred had been the scene of another unsolved homicide just 11 months prior, though authorities do not believe the two incidents are related.
Elijah Mothershed was a known community activist who had founded a non-profit organization to mentor young Black men and was involved with the Guardian Angels, a volunteer group dedicated to street safety. He had also recently opened a cannabis dispensary. In 2015, he had filed a lawsuit against the Oklahoma City Police Department alleging false imprisonment, although the case was ultimately dismissed. The murders of Carnesha, Roshawna, and Elijah are considered a cold case, and authorities continue to seek any information that could lead to a breakthrough and bring justice for the three lives lost.
