Walking with a suspected killer

As a photographer for The Oklahoman, I get to see a number of things that I would most likely never have the opportunity to experience if my career was not spent behind a camera. Every day for the most part is something different. Some assignments are good. Others great. And then, there are the ones that you just cannot believe are taking place.  Over the last few days I have spent some time in El Reno, Okla., taking part in one of those unthinkable assignments.

A family photo of the five homicide victims, Autumn Rust, 7, Kirsten Rust, 7, Evynn Garas, 3, Teagin Rust, 5, and their mother Summer Rust who were killed on Monday at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes, in El Reno, Okla. Also pictured is Jason Garas, Summer Rust’s ex-husband and Evynn’s father.

On Monday, I got the call to go out to the Elizabeth Apartments in El Reno where the bodies of Summer Rust, 25, and her four children, Kirsten Rust, 7, Autumn Rust, 7, Teagin Rust, 5, and Evynn Garas, 3, were found dead. That day, like with most tragic situations I cover, was hectic. I tried to track down details and information from anyone who might know what happened and was willing to talk. There are always a number of unanswered questions, due to the lack of information being released, but by the ended of the day, fortunately and unfortunately, I end up knowing a lot of details of the situation I am covering.

Police investigate a crime scene where an adult and four young children were found dead in an apartment at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes  Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, in El Reno, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN