A family gathering in Valliant, Oklahoma, on April 14, 2026, ended in the shooting death of 60-year-old Vernell Neal following a dispute with his 47-year-old cousin, Carl Eugene Miller Jr. The argument began at Miller’s mother’s home and escalated when the men agreed to fight outside. Neal left, returned with a handgun and fired it into the ground; after leaving again he parked at a nearby intersection where the confrontation continued.

According to law enforcement, Neal allegedly blocked Miller’s path, exited his vehicle and pointed the handgun at Miller. Miller drove back to his mother’s house, retrieved a shotgun, and when he returned fired from inside his vehicle, striking Neal in the leg. Neal fell, his pistol was beside him, and Miller reportedly kicked that handgun into a ditch. EMS airlifted Neal to a hospital where he later died. Upon arrival, officers detained Miller; he was read his Miranda rights, booked into McCurtain County Jail and charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Neal reportedly told an EMS official he had pointed a gun at his cousin.

Are there witnesses who can clarify the sequence at the intersection or the actions that followed the initial argument?