Investigation continues into Owasso's triple murder

Monday, August 29th 2005, 9:58 am

By: News On 6

A murder investigation with three victims in Owasso has resulted in the arrest of three suspects in Tulsa. Friday, a husband, wife and 10 year old girl were shot at a home in the 9700 block of North 112th East Avenue in Owasso.

Owasso Police say with a final arrest Monday morning, they have all the suspects in custody.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says the youngest victim was 10 year old Kayla Burchett - a little girl who had just started 5th grade. She was as active as they come, playing baseball and basketball, and when she wasn't playing, she was happy to be on the sidelines cheering for everyone else. She was that kind of girl, say her teachers, who Monday helped her classmates work through their grief.

Kaylaâ€™s 3rd grade teacher Jennifer Keim: "Kayla was an exceptional, outstanding student. Her smile and spirit always filled the room." Kaylaâ€™s 4th grade teacher Betty Cross: "Kayla was one of those students that every parent hopes their child is like and every teacher loves to have as a student."

Her teachers said "Kayla was an exceptional, outstanding student. Her smile and spirit always filled the room" and "Kayla was one of those students that every parent hopes their child is like and every teacher loves to have as a student."

Another suspect from her murder was arrested Monday morning. Kenneth Johnson was picked up by the gangs unit of the Tulsa Police Department. He was the third suspect arrested, along with Clarence Goode and Ronald Thompson.

[Picture - Clarence Goode; Kenneth Johnson; Ronald Thompson]

Goode has faced charges before - court records show convictions for drug possession and fraud. Prosecutors dismissed charges of shooting with intent to kill and possession of a firearm and Goode is awaiting trial for assault with a dangerous weapon. All three suspects face first degree murder complaints for the death of Kayla, her mother Tara Burchett-Thompson and her husband Mitch Thompson.

Police say they know what happened and why, but aren't ready to disclose that. Owasso Police Chief Dan Yancey: "I can tell you we have established a motive for these killing and hopefully we'll be able to disclose that soon but we're got to confirm that.â€

Kaylaâ€™s death has hit the community of Collinsville especially hard, where no one can understand the murder of such a sweet child with a bright future.

Kayla lived in Collinsville with her grandmother, the same one who found her body Friday morning at the home in Owasso. Funeral arrangements for the family have not been finalized.