Suspect Questioned About Gun In Boy's Death

Police say a suspect connected to a stolen gun which is also connected to the death of a 6-year-old Tulsa boy earlier this week has turned himself in.

Friday, January 23rd 2009, 12:50 pm

By: News On 6


By Jennifer Loren, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa Police are still trying to figure out how a gun that was stolen on Monday ended up in the hands of a six-year-old boy on Wednesday.  Neighbors tell The News On 6 the accidental shooting that caused the child's death is a tragedy that hits too close to home.

Small mementos of six-year-old Jeffery Allen's short childhood adorn the fence outside his home.  Neighbors say he had Down Syndrome, but was a fun-loving little boy.

Related story: 1/22/2009 Tulsa Shooting Victim Dies

"I mean he was just a normal kid. He was really energetic, kind of hyper sometimes, but a real good kid," said Wes, a neighbor.

Allen's three siblings were taken out of the home while police investigate the shooting.  Some neighbors believe the boy's parents were negligent.

"She'll go off and leave them kids up there by their self, and I don't approve of that," said neighbor Lenora Hamilton.

Another neighbor, Wes, is good friends with the parents.  He recently lost his step-son and says he understands what his neighbors are going through.

"They're taking it worse than I took it. You know, I'm surprised they haven't had nervous breakdowns. They're just.  They're good people," said Wes.

Tulsa police are not convinced.  They're trying to figure out how a gun that was stolen on Monday ended up in the child's home.

Investigators say 23-year-old Kenneth Server is a friend of the boy's parents.  He's also a suspect in a burglary where three guns were stolen, including the one that killed Jeffery Allen.  Investigators are questioning him, hoping he'll shed light on where the gun came from and who should be held responsible.

"How did this weapon get here? You know, is this something that the parents already knew? Somehow did Mr. Server arrive at this residence with this weapon and leave it without the parents' knowledge? Maybe someone else had the weapon and maybe Server didn't have the weapon," said Tulsa Police Officer Leland Ashley.

As police sort out the details of their investigation, the small mementos remain as a reminder of what guns can do in the wrong hands.

Police say they were called out to Jeffery Allen's house once last year because the children were left unattended. 

They say charges could still be filed over the boy's death.

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