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Thursday 7 August 2014

Married Police Officers Arrested for Fatally Shooting Daughter's Boyfriend

Two Tulsa, Oklahoma, police officers who are married have been arrested in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man who was walking with their daughter, authorities said.
Jeremy Lake was found shot to death Tuesday night on a street near the downtown area, said Tulsa police department spokeswoman Jillian Roberson.

Shannon Kepler, 54, was arrested on a complaint of first-degree murder and Gina Kepler, 48, was arrested on a complaint of accessory to murder after the fact. Both were booked Tuesday night in the Tulsa County jail.

The Keplers are City of Tulsa police officers and have 24 years on the force. They were off duty at the time of the shooting, Roberson said.

Lake was walking with the Keplers' 18-year-old daughter, Lisa Kepler, when Shannon Kepler confronted him, Roberson said. An argument ensued and the father lashed out, shooting Lake, Roberson said. Lisa Kepler started to run, and was shot at, but the bullet missed, Roberson said.

Lisa Kepler said at a news conference Wednesday that her parents had kicked her out of their home a week ago, and she said was living with Lake at the time of the shooting.

"I don't know what could have led them to do this," she said. "They didn't even know Jeremy."

Police Chief Chuck Jordan said in a statement that "the circumstances around this incident drives home the fact that domestic violence is a societal problem and transcends all economic groups."

"I, as well as the whole department, am saddened for both families involved in this tragic event," Jordan said.

Roberson did not immediately return a message late Wednesday seeking clarification on what Jordan meant in reference to domestic violence.

Richard O'Carroll, Shannon Kepler's attorney, told PEOPLE on Thursday that his client has "a perfect defense." He added that Kepler's wife Gina is entirely innocent.

"I know enough about the facts to know that these folks, meaning the police, were just angry," O'Carroll said. "Nothing occurred illegally with her, nothing at all."

The Keplers are on paid administrative leave, Roberson said.
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