Okmulgee County Art Teacher Killed In Deputy-Involved Shooting

Authorities said a man was shot and killed Wednesday morning after deputies went to his residence to perform a welfare check.

OSBI is assisting with the investigation, and said Robert W. McMurtry, 61, approached two deputies with a machete before he was shot.

OSBI said the deputies went to the residence in the 17000 block of Bristlecone Road, near Morris, Oklahoma, in response to a call to check on a suicidal individual.

The sheriff's office said McMurtry appeared distraught and approached the deputies with the weapon, at which point a deputy was forced to shoot.

McMurtry was pronounced dead by Okmulgee County EMS.

Morris Public Schools confirmed that he was an art teacher at both Morris Middle School and high school. According to his website, McMurtry was a graphic illustrator and a novelist, as well. 

"He had taught many, many children, including my own wife, and it is very, very sad day here in Okmulgee County that something like this it would have to resort to," said Sheriff Eddy Rice.

The identities of the sheriff's deputies involved have not been released at this time, but the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office said they will be placed on routine administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.