Police arrest Sapulpa homicide suspect after man was found shot dead on July 4

UPDATE (7/17/2024) — Sapulpa Police arrested a man accused of shooting and killing a man on July 4.

This is Sapulpa’s first homicide of the year.

FOX23 reported on July 4 when police responded to Johannes Street in Sapulpa where a man was found unresponsive in his yard from a gunshot wound to the chest.

We told you the victim, 32-year-old Brandon Smith, was shot dead in his front yard at a duplex in Sapulpa.

When FOX23 first brought you coverage of this shooting, Sapulpa Police and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) helping them had no witnesses and no suspects.

They thought fireworks may have been set off at the time, possibly covering up the sound of gunfire.

Since then, investigators have worked around the clock to make an arrest, but they're still calling this a very active investigation.

FOX23 learned through court records Maxwell got into a standoff with Tulsa Police on Monday and was arrested by Sapulpa Police.

FOX23 also did a story on Maxwell back in 2018 when he turned himself in for a shooting near Hale Junior High that injured two people. He pleaded guilty and was given a deferred sentence that was set to end this October.

FOX23 spoke with Captain Mike Sole, the detective leading the investigation, on Wednesday.

He said with help from one witness and evidence on the victim's phone, they were able to discover a suspect's identity and also the vehicle he drove.

According to an affidavit, Sapulpa Police officers responded to reports of an unresponsive man with a gunshot wound to his chest around 4:12 p.m. on July 4. Officers arrived on scene and found the victim, later identified as Smith, dead.

Detectives learned from neighbors that Smith was seen speaking with a man next to a black car with the trunk open around 2 p.m. that day.

The neighbor reported when he returned around 2:42 p.m., Smith was on the ground and the car was gone. He didn't know Smith was dead at that time, the affidavit said.

Smith was later found in the same position.

A few days later, another witness reported she saw a black car parked in front of Smith's home around 2 p.m. on July 4. She said her 16-year-old son heard a "pop" that sounded like a gunshot around 2:30 p.m.

According to the affidavit, police searched Smith's home and found his cellphone. The last conversation he had was with an unsaved number about the Smith and Maxwell meeting around 2 p.m. A seven-second phone call was received from the same unsaved number around 2 p.m.

Investigators said the unsaved number belonged to Maxwell.

"The victim's phone allowed us to obtain some additional leads to discover the suspect and the flock cameras around the Tulsa area, we were able to determine the vehicle the suspect was driving at the time of this murder," Sole said.

Sapulpa Detectives found a pawn ticket for Maxwell on July 3 at EZPawn located near South Sheridan Road and East 23rd Street, the affidavit said. Detectives went to the EZPawn and reviewed security footage that showed Maxwell walk to the driver's side of a black four-door Lexus sedan. Another male was with with Maxwell inside the pawnshop and was seen getting into the passenger's side of the Lexus.

According to the affidavit, Tulsa Police confirmed Maxwell was driving the Lexus on June 27 at a QuickTrip located near South Gilcrease Museum Road and West Reconciliation Way in Tulsa. Tulsa Police also located the Lexus parked outside Silverwood Apartments near East Skelly Drive and South 87th East Avenue and saw him get in the Lexus and drive away. He is the only person known to drive the Lexus.

Maxwell's cellphone records show his phone was pinged at multiple locations in Sapulpa between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on July 4, the affidavit said.

Investigators searched Maxwell's history and found he was charged with shooting with intent to kill and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in Tulsa County on July 14, 2020.

Maxwell was arrested on Monday. He is currently being held at the Creek County Jail.

Sapulpa Police told FOX23 they believe there is still more to the story.

They are looking for more leads and investigating if anyone else was involved.

"Very active investigation, we are still working around the clock," Sole said.

SAPULPA, Okla. — Police are looking for answers after a man was found dead from a gunshot wound in Sapulpa on Thursday.

The Sapulpa Police Department (SPD) confirmed they're still investigating the homicide on Johannes Street, but haven't come across new leads.

SPD Detective Mike Sole said police responded to a call about a man laying in his front yard unresponsive. When officers arrived, they found out that he had been shot in the chest.

"When officers arrived and noticed the gentleman was deceased, it appeared that he had suffered an injury by gunshot," Sole said.

The victim, 32-year-old Brandon Smith, was dead when police arrived.

FOX23 spoke with Smith's brother, who said Smith leaves behind a teenage daughter.

Smith's brother said he was a loving father to his teenage daughter and an amazing brother.

OSBI is assisting the investigation. Authorities are still searching for the gunman.

SPD is asking anyone who might know anything about this shooting to contact Sapulpa Police at 918-224-3862.