Authorities in Oklahoma have finally made an arrest in the homicides of Taylor Paschal-Placker and Skyla Jade Whitaker -- two girls gunned down in in 2008 while walking along a remote Weleetka road.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of 25-year-old Kevin Sweat, a resident of Henryetta, during a press conference late this afternoon. Already behind bars for the July slaying of his fiancee, Ashley Taylor, now Sweat has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the girls' deaths.
"We were always hopeful that we would come to this point where charges were filed, although at times we had our doubts," said Okfuskee County District Attorney Max Cook.
Cook said he will be seeking the death penalty for Sweat. The suspect is being held without bail at the Seminole County Jail.
The bodies of Taylor and Skyla were found on June 8, 2008, in a ditch along County Line Road in Weleetka.
Skyla had been spending the night at Taylor Paschal-Placker's house, and the two had decided to take a walk along the dirt road, the Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office said.
When the girls failed to return home, Taylor's grandfather, Peter Placker, went looking for them. He walked roughly a quarter of a mile down the road before discovering the girls' bodies.
According to autopsy reports, Skyla had been shot a total of eight times in the neck, arms, shoulders, chest and abdomen. Taylor had been shot five times in the face, groin and hand.
The county coroner found no signs of sexual assault, but he did find that each of the girls had been shot with two different caliber bullets.
Authorities have identified one of two weapons used in the murder as a .40 Glock model 22. According to OSBI Director Stan Florence, investigators know the weapon, which has serial number EKG463US, was owned by Sweat and was "used in these murders." Investigators believe Sweat sold the handgun at a gun show in Tulsa in March. The OSBI is offering up to a $5,000 reward for that firearm.
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Florence said investigators began to focus on Sweat this summer when they were investigating the murder of 23-year-old Ashley Taylor.
"It was during the course of that investigation that information helped us understand and realize that Mr. Sweat may have been involved in the murders of Taylor Paschal-Placker and Skyla Jade Whitaker," Florence said.
Ashley Taylor's charred remains were found on a farm belonging to Sweat's father, Pat, on Aug. 4. Taylor and Sweat had reportedly been dating for three years. According to an arrest affidavit, Sweat confessed to cutting Ashley Taylor's throat on July 17. Sweat also made reference to the Weleetka homicides.
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Kevin Sweat
"Sweat said that on June 8, 2008, during the afternoon, he was driving ... in Okfuskee County, Okla. Sweat pulled over on the side of the road and saw 'two monsters' come at him. Sweat then 'panicked.' Sweat grabbed his Glock .40 caliber handgun from between the seats of his car. Sweat then 'shot the monsters' with the Glock handgun. Sweat then grabbed a '.22 caliber' gun from his glove box and 'shot the monsters' with the .22 caliber gun. Sweat then got into his car and left," the arrest affidavit reports.
Florence said investigators are still trying to establish a motive in all three homicides. He added that investigators are not looking for any other suspects.
In regard to the victims' family members, Florence said, "They're relieved but they also know it's still not over."
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