Muskogee Police: Officer Wounds Man Who Threw Molotov Cocktail At His Mother

Three officers are on leave Thursday morning after police say one of the officers shot a man who threw a blazing Molotov cocktail at his mother and police.

Thursday, September 5th 2019, 5:34 am

By: News On 6


A Muskogee man is behind bars after police said he threw a flaming Molotov cocktail at officers and at his own mother.

Investigators said an officer shot Darnell Cox to stop him from hurting anyone.

Police said before the incident, Cox made a stop at a convenience store off Eastside Boulevard just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday night. Officers said Cox stole a light and "oil treatment" liquid.

Candie McKeefer, who lives across the street from Cox, said she was walking with her kids to the store when she passed Cox on his way home.

"He told me to take my kids inside, that there was a war out here with angels and demons," she recalled. "He also said he was about to light the kid's bike on fire."

McKeefer said she's seen him acting strange before, but never thought much of it.

"He's just always talking to himself," she said. "I didn't think he would, you know, try to hurt anybody."

Police said Cox did hurt someone last night. When officers went to his home, they said he'd fashioned a "Molotov cocktail" out of the oil treatment liquid, throwing one at the glass front door toward police, and another toward his own mother's face.

Related Story: Muskogee Police Report Officer-Involved Shooting 

Officer Lynn Hamlin said that's when an officer opened fire, hitting Cox at least twice.

"There is a person inside there that's behind a glass door, and we need to protect her and make sure her life is preserved," Officer Hamlin said. "And that's why lethal force was used in this situation."

Police said Cox and his mom were treated at the hospital, but they're OK.

McKeefer said she's surprised to hear Cox reacted this way, but hopes he can get the help he needs.

"I don't think he's a bad guy, I think just he needs help," she said.

Cox is in the Muskogee County Jail on several complaints, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and arson.

The three officers that were on scene are on routine administrative leave with pay as both the criminal and internal investigations continues.

","published":"2019-09-05T10:34:52.000Z","updated":"2019-09-05T23:24:37.000Z","summary":"Three officers are on leave Thursday morning after police say one of the officers shot a man who threw a blazing Molotov cocktail at his mother and police.","affiliate":{"_id":"5c784a0c4961cb23ad330098","callSign":"kotv","origin":"https://www.newson6.com"},"contentClass":"news","createdAt":"2020-02-01T18:03:25.406Z","updatedAt":"2022-03-31T19:17:01.626Z","__v":2,"show":true,"link":"/story/5e35bd6dfcd8ef694720da3a/muskogee-police:-officer-wounds-man-who-threw-molotov-cocktail-at-his-mother","hasSchedule":false,"id":"5e35bd6dfcd8ef694720da3a"};
logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

September 5th, 2019

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024