Police release 911 call on crossbow killing

CHANDLER — A neighbor of a boy shot and killed by a crossbow’s arrow on Saturday can be heard frantically calling for help on a recording of a 911 call released Tuesday.

The neighbor, who was not identified, can be heard telling a dispatcher that one of two boys injured by the arrow was bleeding from the mouth. The man reported he was on Pecan Meadows Drive, south of Wellston.

He told the dispatcher that an arrow went through one of the boys and “stuck in the other one.”

The shooting, which happened about 6 p.m. Saturday, left Austin Almanza, 10, dead at the scene and his brother, Ayden Almanza, 8, wounded.

Lincoln County Sheriff Charlie Dougherty said Monday that both boys were struck by a single arrow after a 13-yearold boy, who has not been identified, fired the weapon. The arrow went through Austin’s body and then struck Ayden’s arm.

Dougherty said the teenager, who was not related to the victims, was arrested. He said a disagreement had preceded the shooting and that it was not accidental. No charges had been filed against the accused shooter as of Tuesday afternoon, according to a spokeswoman with the Lincoln County District Attorney’s office.

Under state law, the 13-year-old boy was legally allowed to have the weapon.

“I think any age can go in the sporting goods store and buy one if they want to,” said Don P. Brown, spokesman for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Brown said laws in the state regarding crossbows are limited to their use in hunting.

“There’s really no laws regarding crossbows … and archery equipment in general,” Brown said. “As far as hunting goes, we allow crossbow hunting when it’s allowed during a particular season for big game hunting. Basically, we classify it as … a piece of archery equipment.”

Prior to 2010, crossbows, which fire arrows and bolts, could only be used for hunting by the elderly or those with physical disabilities. Now, the weapons are allowed across the state during legal archery hunts.

Brown said there are regulations as far as weapon possession for those convicted of crimes in the state.

“They’re not a firearm, but they are a lethal weapon,” Brown said. “In cases where convicted criminals are on parole, a lot of times they will be under restrictions about not being able to possess firearms or other dangerous weapons … and the crossbows do fall under that.”