Suspect Arrested In Fatal Shooting Outside Spencer Bar In 2012

The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department announced after a 16-month investigation that deputies have arrested a 21 year old for a deadly shooting outside a nightclub in Spencer last year.

Sheriff John Whetsel said Deontae Dejuan Thomas, 21, is currently in the Oklahoma County jail, accused in the August 25, 2012, murder of 23-year-old Jean Ciar Pierce.

Pierce was shot and killed near the Shaker's bar parking lot near N.E. 23rd Street and Spencer Road.

"Nearly 200 people were at the club during the shooting incident," said Sheriff Whetsel, "but just a handful were at the scene when we arrived." 

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The sheriff says they recently received information from an eye witness that tied in with other information they had. That led to the arrest of Thomas. Deputies took Thomas into custody on Tuesday.

"This witness placed Thomas at the scene of the crime and detailed how he exchanged gunfire with the victim outside the club in the parking lot."

Whetsel says their investigation revealed the evening began with a party in Midwest City, celebrating Thomas's release from prison. He says the party then moved to Shaker's in Spencer.

Thomas now stands accused of first-degree murder, discharging a firearm in a public place, and possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.

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Pierce's mother, Sarah Burdine, was at the news conference Wednesday morning.

"We knew this day was going to come, we prayed for this day to come for sure," said Burdine. "Witnesses still need to come forward. Any piece of information is necessary."

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Burdine spent countless months keeping her son's murder case from being forgotten by using billboards, social media, and news outlets to urge the public to come forward.

Whetsel says the investigation is far from over. He is urging any witness or anyone with information to contact the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office at (405) 713-1017.