Newkirk juvenile hospitalized following Saturday shooting

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

NEWKIRK — A Newkirk juvenile was hospitalized with abdominal wounds Saturday after being shot with a .22 caliber rifle, authorities say.

The Kay County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) received a call of a shooting at an address on West Canteen Road at 10:17 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. According to the KCSO, 18 year old Toby Rogers, Newkirk, accidentally shot the victim in the abdomen with the rifle.

“He thought the gun was unloaded and pointed it at the individual, and pulled the trigger,” said Kay County Sheriff Steve Kelley. “We’re still investigating.”

Newkirk EMS personnel arrived on the scene to address the victim’s wounds and transport him to the hospital.

“We transported the victim to AllianceHealth Ponca City, and he was later flown to the OU adult trauma center in Oklahoma City,” said Newkirk Fire Chief Adam Longcrier. “We had to activate our shooter policies and wear bullet-proof vests. Everybody came out safe, and we were able to get the victim and transport him to the hospital.”

Rogers was later arrested at a Newkirk residence, and booked into the Kay County Detention Center, Newkirk, according to the KCSO.

“We did an investigation, and we arrested him for reckless misconduct with a firearm,” Kelley said. “It’s an accidental shooting, but he broke the law with his recklessness, pointing the rifle and pulling the trigger.”