Steven Pence, 74, a retired Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant, was shot and killed by law enforcement at his rural home near Wellston, Oklahoma, on February 8, 2026. The confrontation began after his wife called 911 around 2:43 p.m., reporting that Pence was armed, threatening suicide, and had been waving a gun while their daughter and young granddaughter were in the house. She also told dispatchers that Pence believed he was in a romantic relationship with a celebrity and had been sending that person money, a scam investigators say contributed to his agitation.

Wellston and Kickapoo tribal officers were on scene for about 20 minutes trying to de-escalate before Lincoln County deputies arrived. Deputies and dispatchers urged family members to leave; the daughter and granddaughter were able to get away but the wife remained. Pence moved to the backyard by 3:03 p.m., still armed and unresponsive. Two Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers arrived at 3:16 p.m.; officers first used bean bag rounds, and at 3:17 p.m. shots were fired after Pence allegedly pointed his weapon at officers. Pence was pronounced dead at the scene. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is leading the investigation with the State Bureau of Investigation also responding; the two troopers and one deputy who fired have been placed on paid administrative leave and no arrests have been announced.

Did anyone in the area know the Pence family or have information about the events that afternoon?