Victim was 'friends with everyone'; shooter was a loner

AFTON — Sarah Smith was picking up her two children from her estranged husband's home Tuesday when he shot and killed all three before turning the gun on himself, a friend said Wednesday.

Smith, 26, Skyler Price, 4, and Joshua DeForest, 2, were shot about noon on Tuesday by Aaron DeForest, 34, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said.

DeForest, the father of Joshua DeForest, shot himself to complete a murder-suicide at his home in the Monkey Island lakeside community.

The bodies of DeForest, Smith and Skyler were found in the living room at 55441 E 297 Road, said Jessica Brown, OSBI spokeswoman. Joshua was found shot to death in a car on the property.

Gary Crosby, president of the West Bay Property Owners Association, said he talked with Smith several times a week as she worked at Littlefield's Country Corner.

"She was really nice,” he said. "She was a sweetheart. She was a real good girl. She was friends with everybody.”

Crosby said Smith moved out of the home she shared with DeForest in February.

DeForest, who had not seen the children in a month, called Smith on Tuesday asking to see the children, Crosby said. Before going to work, Smith dropped off the children at the home. DeForest later called Smith to say he didn't want to watch the children anymore and asked her to pick them up.

Police found the bodies a few hours later after receiving a call from Smith's employer, who was concerned because she didn't return to work.

Brown said a gun was used, but investigators don't know in what order the killings occurred and may never find out. Authorities have released no information on a motive.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Department released a brief incident report from April 5. According to that report, Smith complained to authorities that DeForest, who was "suspected of using alcohol,” was harassing her.

Crosby said Smith was an excellent mother and the kids were nice, sweet and polite.

Crosby said DeForest left the housework to Smith, and would hardly ever wave or talk to neighbors.

DeForest did not have a job and did tattooing in his home.

Crosby said he became ill when he heard of the shootings.

"I couldn't eat anything this morning,” he said. "It tore me up. Hell, I started crying.”

The OSBI said the family moved to Monkey Island from Fort Scott, Kan., a few months ago. Neither adult had a criminal record in Oklahoma, aside from traffic violations.