Landowner Shoots, Kills Man Outside Rural Muldrow Home

A landowner shot and killed a Washington state man after confronting him outside a vacant home near Muldrow Tuesday, according to the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies say Jim Short called just after 5 p.m. saying someone was trying to steal from his home located on Highway 64 and East 1070 Road.

Deputies say Short was armed with a shotgun when approached pickup and ordered the two men inside to step out. Short told deputies that as the passenger -- James Mathis, 31, of Muldrow -- got out, the driver -- John Elliot, 23 -- accelerated toward Short, who fired twice at the truck's windshield.

Deputies say one shot struck Elliot causing the pickup to crash. Elliot was pronounced dead at the scene.

Short and James Mathis were questioned and released.

The Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office says its investigation has been turned over to the county district attorney's office.

KFSM TV assisted with this story.