I-40 shooting spree suspect an ‘extremist,’ prosecutors say
ARAPAHO — Prosecutors are planning to put on evidence at an upcoming murder trial that the defendant identified with an “anti-government extremist movement.”
The defendant, Jeremy Doss Hardy, 37, is accused of going on a drunken shooting spree on Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma on the night of Dec. 16, 2015.
The oil-field worker from Texas was in Oklahoma working at a drilling site near El Reno. Prosecutors allege he identified with the “Three Percent” movement.
In a notice filed last week, prosecutors stated they intend to put on evidence about Hardy’s political beliefs at the trial as a possible motive for the shooting spree.
“Affiliates of ‘Three Percent’ promote the idea that the federal government is plotting to take away the rights of American citizens and must be resisted,” prosecutors wrote in the notice.
Prosecutors allege Hardy fatally shot two drivers, fired at four others and tried to ram another from behind.
He was arrested early Dec. 17, 2015, by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper after a brief chase. He admitted to the trooper he had been drinking whiskey shots and beer.
Hardy was driving a black
dually GMC pickup when he was stopped. The pickup had a “Three Percent” sticker on the rear window and a “3PRSNT” tag, prosecutors wrote in the notice.
“The defendant and several close friends and family often discussed issues with the government and shared photographs and propaganda electronically,” prosecutors wrote.
Through an instant messaging app, his group had been discussing “illegals coming across the border, a plan for members ... to patrol the border, supplies for the plan being purchased and shipped, Hardy having something for everyone, shooting illegals ... having road rage while driving and being obligated to stop the flow of drugs, criminals and sex slaves from coming into the country,” prosecutors wrote.
“Specifically, in November and December 2015, the group shared photographs of combat and survival gear, boots, knives, clothing, firearms (including pistols and assault rifles) and masks,” prosecutors wrote.
The jury trial is scheduled to begin June 13 in Custer County District Court. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Killed were Kent Powell, 45, of Arapaho, and Billie Jean West, 63, of Lone Wolf.
Powell was shot in the back as he drove home with his wife in their sport utility vehicle. They were coming from the Oklahoma City airport after completing a business trip to Florida.
West was shot in the hip as she returned home from Christmas shopping. A police officer found her in her Volkswagen Beetle in the grass at an I-40 exit in Weatherford.
Hardy’s courtappointed attorneys have a policy about not making statements to the press about their cases. They have not disclosed yet what their defense will be.