Loved ones remember man found dead in Freedom alleged double homicide

FREEDOM, Okla. (KFOR) – Two men were found dead Thursday morning in the small town of Freedom after shots reportedly rang out, neighbors say one of the two were central to their community.

The story was first reported by The Freedom Call Newspaper.

“It’s shocking that something like that could happen here,” said Melissa Burkhart who lives next door.

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First reported by the Freedom Call Newspaper, Woods County deputies were called to a house near Dusty Trail and Saddlehorn Drive around around 4 a.m. Thursday. Officials say it was reported gunshots had gone off outside the home.

Burkhart told KFOR that her door security footage captured a small black car speed up to the home around the same time and then she heard gunshots go off. Then the car, she said, came back by the house and more gunshots can be heard.

“We don’t know for sure but that helped them find the people who did this in two or three hours,” said Burkhart.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case. Hunter McKee of OSBI said that three people were detained for questioning and that there was no threat to the public as of 3 p.m.

“My first thought was that was a lot of gunshots but this is Freedom so you don’t think too much about it but thirty minutes later there were sirens,” said Angie Lee who lives across the street from the scene.

Neighbors and loved ones told KFOR that the person who lives there is named Gary Bradt and he just turned 70 years old, had his retirement party recently as well. They said that he is central to the Freedom community and is very well known and loved.

Neighbors also told KFOR that a gentleman named Tim Wilcox was living there, that Gary had taken him in because Tim was helping Gary through medical issues.

“It’s truly a loss, he was apart of my wedding,” said Burkhart.

“This is Freedom. We live life like we are still in the 1980’s where you have your kids just come home when the street lights come on. It’s crazy to think something like this would happen,” said Lee.

There are no names of suspects, no motives, also police haven’t listed the names of the victims officially.

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“It also frightens me because I forgot to lock my doors last night,” said Burkhart. “For this to happen in our town, it still frightens me.”

“We were able to locate multiple suspects and question them,” said McKee. Around 2 p.m. he said that later Thursday night more details would be expected to be released.

“Our prayers are with everyone in this area. I just want them to know that we are working hard to find out who did this and hopefully justice can be served,” said McKee.

McKee said that there is no danger to the public and no suspects on the loose.

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