A tense situation unfolded near Henryetta High School earlier this week, triggering a brief soft lockdown for both Henryetta and Dewar public schools. The incident, which began as a family dispute, quickly escalated into violence, leaving a 60-year-old woman critically injured and sparking a major law enforcement response.
The shooting took place just outside Henryetta, a small community located in southeastern Oklahoma, and prompted an immediate investigation by local authorities. According to reports, Ashley Crawford, the alleged shooter, is accused of firing a weapon at her 60-year-old aunt during a heated family argument. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was rushed to a nearby hospital with injuries, though her current condition remains unclear.
As soon as the incident was reported, law enforcement moved quickly to assess the situation, setting up a perimeter around the area. Due to the proximity of the shooting to Henryetta High School and other nearby schools, the district took precautionary measures, placing both Henryetta and Dewar schools on a soft lockdown. This type of lockdown is typically used to ensure that students and staff remain in their classrooms and away from potential danger while allowing regular school operations to continue.
While the lockdown only lasted a short period, it left parents, students, and staff members on edge. The decision to implement the lockdown was made in the interest of safety, as investigators worked to piece together the details of the shooting and determine whether other individuals were involved. Fortunately, there were no reports of any other injuries on school grounds.
Authorities confirmed that Ashley Crawford, 35, has been arrested in connection with the shooting. She faces serious charges of assault with a deadly weapon and is expected to be arraigned in the coming days. Crawford’s motives for the shooting are still under investigation, but early reports suggest that the altercation began as a family dispute that escalated into violence.
The victim’s family, as well as the community at large, are in shock after the shooting, which has cast a dark shadow over the normally quiet town of Henryetta. The close-knit nature of the area has made this incident especially alarming, as residents struggle to make sense of the violence that has disrupted their peace.