John Jefferson
Background: Jeltz Senior Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Google Maps). Inset: Marketta Bates (Oklahoma County Detention Center).
An Oklahoma woman was arrested after she allegedly threatened a senior center resident with a knife and tried to blow up his oxygen machine.
Marketta Bates, 33, was taken into custody on Jan. 20 after an incident the same day at the Jeltz Senior Center in Oklahoma City. According to a police report obtained by KOKH, a local Fox affiliate, officers responded to calls about an assault at the center. When they arrived, they found Bates in a common area where a chaotic scene was taking place. The alleged victim, who was not named, told police that Bates pointed a knife at him after she threatened to light his oxygen tank on fire. Police saw the alleged victim’s oxygen tank on the ground near him, leaking liquid.
In bodycam video from one of the officers, Bates can be heard explaining that she was visiting a relative at the center. She also allowed police to search her as they handcuffed her and took her out of the building. The report noted that when asked if she was carrying any weapons, she informed police that there was a knife in her bag, which police found.
The police report stated that the alleged victim told officers he was selling clothes in the common area when Bates confronted him about her mother’s stolen phone. He said that when he tried to get her to calm down, she reportedly became upset, and an argument began. She also reportedly yelled at other residents who were in the area.
The confrontation escalated when Bates allegedly threatened to light the man’s oxygen tank on fire. He quickly detached the breathing tubes that were connected, and other residents attempted to intervene and stop Bates. She reportedly slammed the oxygen tank to the ground and then turned to a garbage pail, which she allegedly attempted to set alight.
The man then said Bates made slashing motions at her with a knife.
Police reviewed security footage and were able to match the alleged victim’s account of events, save for the knife.
When they arrived, they arrested Bates and charged her with attempted arson and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. She was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.
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