Idabel Shooting

This was the first real story of any consequence that I wrote and that was about a year ago. It was for my media writing class. We had a mock news conference so all material is imagined. But here it is:

Small town charm turned to shock Tuesday evening as news that two high school students had been shot and killed spread through the town of Idabel, Okla.

The victims, Randy Carter, 16 and Jenifer Rollings, 15 were pronounced dead at the scene. Allan Jennings, 15 was arrested 45 minutes later at his residence three blocks away. Both the victims and the suspect were students at Idabel High School

Idabel Police Chief Johnnie Smithe said the shooting occurred at the Rollings’ residence at 325 Bubble Gum Way at 6:30 p.m. Although there was no evidence of forced entry there were signs of a struggle in the kitchen where the victims were found. No one else was home at the time.

Smithe said they have not determined the number of shots that were fired but they did recover a .38-caliber revolver which they believe is the weapon used in connection with the deaths. Forensic tests are still being performed to confirm this.

Neighbor Mark Woolfe; said he placed the 911 call after hearing the gun shots and seeing Jennings exiting the Rollings’ residence. He could not recall if he saw Jennings carrying a gun.

Woolfe said that earlier Tuesday Carter and Jennings had an altercation after school during which Jennings threatened Carter. Although the police were called to the scene no arrests were made. He also said Jennings had been previously arrested for possession of marijuana.

Woolfe was unsure if the suspect had been using drugs at the time of the murder. Police did perform a drug test after the arrest but would not disclose the results.

Jennings is being held in the McCurtain County Jail on two counts of first-degree murder. His bond has been set at $1 million. Police declined to comment on a possible motive.

The victims were involved in a social relationship at the time of their death according to their Principal Elize Whittingdon. She would not comment on the extent of that relationship. She also said that Rollings and Jennings had been previously involved in a romantic relationship which had been ended by Miss Rollings.

“Everyone at Idabel High School is saddened by this tragic news. Randy and Jenifer were well-loved, popular students who will be sorely missed,” Whittingdon said.

Whittingdon also said the victims were both very involved in their school. Carter was a star running back with some indications that he would be heavily recruited by scouts of the University of Oklahoma. Rollings also hoped to attend OU where she wanted to play basketball. She was also captain of the Idabel varsity cheer leading squad.

“She loved to dance and we all had high hopes for her,” said her mother. Meg Rollings.

Whittingdon said that school counselors are available to the students and the school will have a lenient attendance policy over the next few days. A date for the memorial has not been set but Whittingdon says the school will also be understanding for students desiring to attend these services.

Idabel is a small town of almost 7,000 people about 250 miles Southeast of Oklahoma City.

“It’s always shocking when it happens but I’m sure the community will pull together like it always does,” Smithe said.

According to Smithe, Idabel has several murders a year but they are usually drug and crime related.