Reward For Pawnshop Shooting Suspect Increased

Monday, April 23rd 2007, 11:09 am

By: News On 6

The reward for information about the murder of a Tulsa pawnshop clerk is now up to more than $15,000. The EZ Pawn Corporation made a major contribution Monday to the Crimestoppers reward fund, this after the April 6th fatal shooting of a store employee during a robbery attempt. Police say 20-year-old Cody Holmes was shot in the chest as the three suspects left the store. Tulsa Police say it was a senseless act. The suspects were already leaving, when one turned around and shot Holmes, killing him.

The News On 6's Heather Lewin reports Holmes' mother is hoping the increased reward will help bring that killer to justice. Clutching a picture of her murdered son, Darlene Patton says she'd hoped every day it would get a little better. It hasn't.

â€œI don't wanna eat. I don't wanna sleep. I don't wanna do anything. I just wanna crawl in a hole and die," said Patton.

Patton wanted to talk to us again because she'd heard that her last plea for justice might have helped convince two of the three suspects in her son's murder to turn themselves in. First Marcel Frazier came forward, then Devin Kirby, but 17-year-old Marquaillo Holbert, the one who police say actually pulled the trigger, is still on the loose.

Company officials released a statement about their $15,000 contribution to the reward fund saying it is their desire that Holbert be brought to justice. They are working closely with law enforcement, and by offering the reward, they hope it will prompt someone to come forward with information about Holbertâ€™s whereabouts.

Patton says anyone helping the accused killer is just as bad as he is.

â€œI don't want another family to go through what I've gone through,â€ said Patton. â€œIt's just like he just stole something from me. My son, a life that I gave, and he took it from us."

Police say the suspect has family here in Tulsa and in Texas, but that he may still be in this area. They're hoping the major boost to the reward will encourage someone to come forward. Tips can be phoned in to Crimestoppers at 596-COPS. Remember you can remain anonymous and still collect the reward if your information leads to Holbert's arrest. Police say if you know where Holbert can be found right away, first call 911.

Related stories:

4/6/2007 - Homicide Count Climbs To 18

4/10/2007 - Homicide Suspects Sought

4/10/2007 - Shooting Suspect Arrested

4/13/2007 - Trust Fund Established For Homicide Victim