Death Row Inmate Byron Shepard Dies in Hospital

Byron James Shepard, who was on death row for the 2017 murder of Tecumseh Police Officer Justin Terney, died early Tuesday morning at a local hospital. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections confirmed his death and stated that the Office of Inspector General is investigating, with the Medical Examiner set to determine the cause of death. Shepard was convicted of first-degree murder in 2019, stemming from an incident during a traffic stop where he shot Officer Terney, who was 22 years old at the time of his death. Prosecutors characterized the shooting as an attempt by Shepard, a fugitive, to avoid arrest, while his defense argued that the officer's death was unintentional. Shepard was sentenced to death on May 20, 2020, following a trial that highlighted his criminal history. Details surrounding his death are expected to be released later.