One year after the fatal shooting in the Choctaw Islands, there are no arrests

On August 25, 2023, police responded to a shooting at Choctaw High School during the football season opening game against Del City.

According to investigators, a fight ensued, which led to a shooting in which 16-year-old Cordea Carter was killed.

Off-duty game officers working security for Mid-Del Schools were the first to respond to the incident. An officer shot 43-year-old Demetrize Carter in the chest because he believed he had a gun. Carter is not related to the 16-year-old who died.

His lawyer Billy Clark insists that his client did not have a weapon and was only trying to help.

But Gary James, an attorney for the officer, argued that it was a legal and justified use of force because the officer recognized that 43-year-old Carter had a gun and was planning to shoot the officers. James claims that the officer's body camera reflected that perceived threat.

News 9 has pressed for access to the body camera footage but cannot independently verify any of the details allegedly depicted in the video. Del City Police, Choctaw Police, Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and Oklahoma County District Attorney have all declined to release copies of evidence.

A grand jury has been busy for nearly a year investigating an officer-involved shooting that resulted in a death in Oklahoma County. In April, the grand jury released a report recommending no charges be filed against the Del City police officer. It also made recommendations for law enforcement, including improved evidence handling and a review of body camera policies. Investigators have not said whether or how those recommendations reflect any errors or deficiencies in the conduct of the investigation.

In January, the district attorney dismissed a murder charge against a juvenile with no criminal record who had previously been accused of killing 16-year-old Carter. Prosecutors cited a lack of evidence and witnesses.

Following the grand jury report, the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office announced in April that its investigation into the officer-involved portion of the shooting was closed, but the criminal investigation is ongoing and is being led by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Police.

Choctaw Chief Kelly Marshall said she believes there is still a chance to solve the case. No further arrests have been made and no new suspects have been publicly named.

Marshall is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact her agency or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations.