Teen confesses to shooting woman during burglary, report says
BY JERRY WOFFORD World Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
12/19/12 at 3:41 PM
The 14-year-old accused of killing a woman late Monday in Jenks told authorities that he broke into the house to steal money and shot the victim when she came home, jail records state.
Joshua Scott Mooney was arrested and booked into the Tulsa Jail late Tuesday on one complaint each of first-degree murder, second-degree burglary and auto theft, according to jail records.
Jenks police officers had requested assistance from the Sheriff's Office after they responded to a home invasion call in the 400 block of East 111th Street in Jenks about midnight Monday night and found Mary Escue, 47, dead, Sheriff's Maj. Shannon Clark said.
Sheriff investigators received information Tuesday afternoon that some of the items stolen from the home had been located in Sapulpa. Responding authorities found the vehicle that had been stolen from the residence and took the three occupants into custody, including Mooney, the report states.
Mooney told investigators that he broke into the home about 9 p.m. Monday through the bathroom window to look for money, the report states. He said he found four firearms in the residence.
While he was there, Escue came home and Mooney said he went to hide in the kitchen with a .22 caliber rifle, the report states. He told detectives he then surprised the woman and forced her into another room of the home, according to the report.
While in that room, Mooney allegedly told investigators that he aimed the .22 caliber rifle at the victim's head and fired a shot, the report states.
Mooney stated that he knew he hit her because she did not make any sounds, and there was blood on the floor, the report states.
He then took some change from around the house and the victim's wallet, and he fled the scene in her vehicle, he said.
He drove to Sapulpa because he had to get out of Tulsa County for what he had done, he reportedly told investigators.
Mooney was interviewed by detectives in front of his mother, according to the report.
A spokeswoman with Jenks Public Schools said Mooney is an eighth-grade student at Jenks Middle School.
The rifle was recovered by investigators at a separate location after Mooney allegedly gave it to someone else, according to the report.
Escue was a wife and mother who was in town from out of state visiting her parents, Clark said.
Her mother and father told deputies they had left their home Monday evening and returned to find their daughter dead.
Jenks Police Chief Cameron Arthur said he has been spending time with the family, and said they are holding up well. He read a statement they prepared for a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
“Our hearts are truly broken by this senseless tragedy. Your thoughts and prayers are providing comfort and strength for us to carry on,” Arthur read.
Associated Images:
Joshua Scott Mooney
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