The Okmulgee Police Department is actively investigating a homicide following a violent altercation that occurred Sept. 22 in the front yard of a residence located in the 800 block of Crutchmer Avenue.

At approximately 12:51 p.m., officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of two males involved in a physical altercation. Upon arrival, they found Robert Henry lying unresponsive in the front yard of the property. Emergency Medical Services were immediately summoned, and Henry was transported to Tulsa’s Saint Francis Hospital for emergency treatment.

Also located at the scene was Steve Alan Keel. During the initial investigation, officers discovered that Keel had an active felony warrant issued by the District Court of Okmulgee County. He was promptly taken into custody on that warrant.

As officers began piecing together the events leading up to the incident, it was determined that the altercation stemmed from a dispute regarding service repair to lawn equipment. The disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Robert Henry was struck with an axe.

Keel was subsequently transported to jail and booked not only on the outstanding felony warrant but also on new charges of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon.

Tragically, on Monday, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office (Eastern Division) contacted the Okmulgee Police Department to inform them that Robert Henry had succumbed to his injuries and had been officially pronounced deceased at the Tulsa hospital.

With the case now classified as a homicide, the Okmulgee Police Department is continuing its investigation. Once all investigative work is completed, the case file will be turned over to the Okmulgee County District Attorney’s Office for review and potential prosecution.

No further details have been released at this time.