Skiatook Man Recovering After Break-In, Shooting

An 83-year-old Skiatook man was rushed to the hospital after he was shot by an intruder early Wednesday morning.

Police say Kenneth Cooper is recovering from surgery now.

Cooper's grandson, Brandon James, said, not only was his grandfather shot; he had $10,000 stolen from him. He said he doesn't know who would do this, but that this isn't the first time something like this has happened.

Cooper called 911 from inside this home just moments after taking a bullet.

911 dispatcher: "Where were you shot at?"
Kenneth Cooper: "In the chest and I'm bleeding. Hurry, hurry, hurry."

We spoke to James after he left the hospital, where his grandfather was treated Wednesday morning.

"He got punched and beat up quite a bit before they actually shot him," he said.

Investigators were back out at the home searching for evidence Wednesday afternoon. They say there's no sign of forced entry, so Cooper could have known the suspect.

James isn't so sure, and said his grandfather answered the door around 2 a.m., because he was waiting on his 25-year-old girlfriend.

"He's an 83-year-old man with a lot of money, somebody could have followed him from the casino," James said.

He said his grandfather often keeps large amounts of cash on hand, and that the $10,000 that was taken was in the freezer.

James said a similar incident happened a month ago, when someone broke into his grandfather's home, beat him up, and stole $4,000.

"These last two in a months' time definitely have a connection," James said.

Kim Cash lives down the road and walks her dog in the neighborhood.

"It's scary, it's real scary, because nothing every happens in Skiatook," Cash said. "I can't tell you how many times I've left my garage door open at night, or left a back door open."

Other neighbors we spoke with say they weren't surprised by the news, because of all the activity they say happens at Cooper's home.

"He loves having his friends, young girls, over. I call them young, they're in their 30s, but sometimes it comes with a price," James said.

Still James said he wants answers for his grandfather's shooting.

"He's 83 and he was willing to give you the money," he said.

Investigators say they don't know yet if the two break-ins are connected. They did tell us they have a person of interest in the shooting, but they aren't releasing a name or description at this time.

Cooper is expected to recover.