Elderly couple shot to death in Cherokee County

A suspect is in the Cherokee County jail following the double homicide of a Cherokee County couple. <br/><br/>The murders happened Tuesday morning in the rural community of Welling, just outside of Tahlequah.

Tuesday, July 26th 2005, 11:16 am

By: News On 6

A suspect is in the Cherokee County jail following the double homicide of a Cherokee County couple.

The murders happened Tuesday morning in the rural community of Welling, just outside of Tahlequah. Authorities say 75 year-old Junior Ryals and his 65 year-old wife Elsie were shot and killed.

The suspect is 21-year-old Johnny Potts[pictured] who lived nearby. He's in custody. Robert Ryals was there when deputies found his brother. Robert Ryals: "When I got there, I didn't know what was going on, and I thought they were in the truck, saw it sitting there and I saw their little dogs, so I thought I would go in there and ask them what was going on."

Johnny Potts has a prior conviction for possession of a stolen car. Authorities are still investigating.

Welling is located just east of Tahlequah.