Investigation: No suspects, officials say

WELEETKA — Shortly after two girls were found brutally murdered along a dirt road near this small town Sunday afternoon, the rumors around Okfuskee County started to spread like wildfire:

In this undated photo, Taylor Paschal-Placker, left, is pictured with her grandparents, Peter Placker, center, and Vickey Placker.

How to help

•A fund has been set up to help pay for the funeral expenses for both girls. Donations may be sent to: Bank of Commerce, P.O. Box 48, Weleetka, OK 74880.

For more information call (405) 786-2216.

•"They caught the guy who did it.”

• "They have three guys in custody.”

• "He confessed, and said he didn't have a motive.”

It was the rampant rumors and "misinformation” surrounding the fatal shootings of Taylor Dawn Paschal-Placker, 13, and Skyla Jade Whitaker, 11, that led to a time-to-set-the-record-straight news conference Tuesday in front of the Okfuskee County Courthouse in Okemah.

Part of the confusion apparently came from remarks Sheriff Jack Choate made during media interviews. Choate, who has been in office two years, said Monday that his office had "suspects” in the case. He later said his office had identified "persons of interest.”

So when word got out that Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation officials were calling a news conference, many residents lined up behind the news cameras to hear for themselves whether investigators had any idea who shot the girls, whether that person was still out there, and whether they should be worried for their own children's safety.

They didn't find any comfort.

"We have no solid suspect information,” OSBI agent Ben Rosser said at the afternoon briefing. "We have no person of interest. We have nobody we can put a finger on. We've received phone calls and we're looking into those leads.”

Rosser told the crowd he thinks the shooter or shooters were locals, based on the secluded location several miles from Interstate 40 and three miles from the nearest highway.

What do officials know?

Taylor's grandfather, Peter Placker, who was raising her, found the girls about 300 yards from his home after the girls went for a walk Sunday evening and didn't return. Placker went looking for the girls when Taylor didn't answer her cell phone. Placker used Taylor's cell phone to place a 911 call, Rosser said.

Authorities were notified about 5:40 p.m. Sunday and spent most of Sunday night looking for evidence.

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