Rash of homicides has officials baffled

June 11, 2009 10:10 am

— POTEAU, Okla. (AP) — Officials are baffled by a rash of homicides in Le Flore County, which has a combined population of about 50,000 people.

The June 1st shooting of a Cameron man during a dispute brought to six the number of people killed in the southeast Oklahoma county since January 1st.

District Attorney Jeff Smith says the killings are highly unusual for a place that averages one or two homicides a year.

Smith says researchers would have to go back to 2002 when six homicide cases were last handled.

Sheriff Bruce Curnutt says he doesn't know if the killings are tied to the economic downturn or stress, but his office literally had a homicide investigation the first minute of his administration on New Year's Day.

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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com