In a horrific turn of events, a woman in Verdigris, Oklahoma, has been identified as the perpetrator of a triple murder-suicide that also involved her three children. It was reported by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) that Brandy McCaslin, 39, shot and killed her kids before taking her own life. The mom was also engaged in an hourslong standoff with police prior to ending her life.
On Thursday afternoon, police officers on patrol noticed fireworks outside a residence near East Dogwood Court and Cypress Street. Upon investigation, they encountered a barricaded and armed woman, later identified as Brandy McCaslin. Efforts to establish communication with her proved futile, leading to a three-hour standoff that involved multiple law enforcement agencies. The team of responding officers included a SWAT team from the Cherokee Nation. Eventually, officers entered the home and found McCaslin and her three children deceased.
The victims of this heartbreaking incident were identified as 10-month-old Billy Jacobson, 6-year-old Bryce, and 11-year-old Noe. The OSBI has launched an investigation in collaboration with the Verdigris Police Department. As the community grapples with the tragedy, neighbors have come together to create a memorial for the children on a tree in front of the house.
Witnesses in the neighborhood shared their shock and sorrow over the events that unfolded. Bill Salwaechter, who observed the standoff, expressed sympathy for the police officers involved. Blake Forsman, a resident living across the street, recalled seeing McCaslin waiting for her children at the bus stop and described them as “normal kids.” However, he also noted the poor condition of the house and the overgrown lawn, indicating potential struggles within the family.