Okmulgee County experiences overnight crime wave

Written By: Morgan Taylor

(MUSCOGEE NATION) Late Wednesday night on May 31 Dewar residents witnessed a man drag a woman from her house to a silver Jeep while beating her, then speeding off. 

Read this story on Mvskoke Media here.

The car was driven by Cameron Gooden, and was hauling at high speeds with the owner, Trudi Blades inside. Gooden is a Muscogee (Creek) citizen.

Blades’ adult son and his pregnant girlfriend were left at Blade’s home. They were also assaulted by Gooden just before fleeing with Blades.

The pregnant woman was released from the hospital with no serious injuries. 

Gooden took a right by the Dewar First Baptist Church, leading him to Holly Road. The road was also the site where seven dead bodies were found just last month in Henryetta. 

Dewar police responded to a call on Gooden and began pursuing the vehicle, but lost sight of it as it turned on Arbeka Road.

Dewar police fell back and reported the case to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department. They proceeded to actively search for the couple with no luck. 

Gooden’s cell phone was pinged at a location near Ryal School on John Artussee Road in southern Henryetta. 

The location was searched with no sign of Blades, Gooden, or the vehicle. 

Law enforcement stopped actively pursuing the two when an officer was shot in Okmulgee. 

Officer shot in Okmulgee

During the search for Blades, Okmuglee police responded to an active burglary call at 1:45 a.m. on June 1 near Second and Central in Okmulgee. 

The burglary was a home invasion. The owners were forced out of the home, but were able to contact the police. 

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said one officer went to the front of the house and a second officer went to the back. The second officer was shot by the suspect, Christopher Harris. 

Assistance was called where multiple agencies, including the MCN LPD responded. 

The injured deputy was taken to the hospital in stable condition, and was released at 9:40 a.m. 

Harris’ last known location was around Second and Central in Okmulgee around 3:00 a.m. 

The area was blocked off by law enforcement for some time as they secured the neighborhood and ensured public safety. 

Harris is considered a fugitive, and is armed and dangerous.

Recently released from prison, Harris is well-known to agencies across the state and in other states as well. 

The search for Blades

According to social media posts, law enforcement completely withdrew from the search for Blades after the Okmulgee County deputy shooting. 

Law enforcement’s last clue as to Gooden’s wearabouts was his cell phone location. It was pinged at Ryal. Concerned friends said the area is a “dead area” for cell phone service and that Blades “could be anywhere”. 

Reportedly after trying to hide in his old hangout spot near Ryal, Gooden headed east to the Tiger Mountain Area where he ditched the Jeep he kidnapped Blades in. 

For most of the night of May 31 Gooden and Blades walked the mountain, a country area filled with dirt roads, woods, small rivers and creeks. 

As they were walking, an unknown passerby stopped to ask them if they needed a ride. That is when they returned to Blades’ house. When they got inside, Gooden still held Blades hostage. 

According to Blades’ niece, Blades convinced Gooden to let her go by telling the police that everything was alright, and that she was not in danger. 

Finally at about 10:30 a.m on June 1, Blades’ family was contacted by the Dewar Police Department, where they stated that they had Blades and that she was safe. 

According to Blades’ niece, Gooden was threatening Blades with a knife. This kept her frightened. 

MCN PD caught Gooden at Blades’ residence. He is now currently in custody. 

If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Harris, they are encouraged to call 911.