Stray bullet hits woman; Superintendent says he's possibly responsible
FAIRVIEW, Okla. (KFOR) — A bizarre shooting investigation in Fairview after a woman was hit by a stray bullet inside her home. It's still a mystery as to who actually fired the gun. A school district superintendent said it's possible he pulled the trigger while hunting, and it's all part of the long investigation.
The Major County Sheriff's Office said the bullet flew nearly 500 yards before striking the woman and said the bullet is still lodged in her chest nearly a month later. Until it's removed, the case remains unsolved.
"She actually had five…five holes from one projectile," said Tony Robinson, the Major County Sheriff.
The big mystery though, is who pulled the trigger. After the shooting, the sheriff said he got a phone call from Fairview Schools Superintendent, Craig Church, with a possible confession.
"Completely up front and honest and he said hey I don't know if this is related, but I was shooting in that area at coyotes, around the same time," said Robinson.
Robinson said he believes Church knows the woman.
Church faces four citations from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, however, there's it's still up in the air if Church pulled the trigger.
"At this time we cannot say definitely that he was the shooter that injured this lady," said Robinson.
Robinson said they looked at church's rifle and found shell casings near the woman's home.
"We can only go as fast as the evidence takes us," said Robinson.
The crucial piece of evidence they need is the bullet, which is still lodged in the woman's chest.
The school board sent News 4 a statement in regards to the incident.
The Fairview Board of Education is aware of the report regarding an unlawful hunting incident involving Superintendent Craig Church on February 18, 2024, for which Mr. Church received four Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation citations in the district court of Major County.
While the incident does not appear to involve the district, it is a serious matter and the circumstances are very unfortunate.
Mr. Church is a longtime member of the community and has been a valuable and responsible leader for fairview public schools. The board is confident that he will continue to fully cooperate with the ongoing law enforcement investigation and take swift and appropriate steps to resolve this matter.
The Board of Education will continue to closely monitor the case to determine if any action is necessary on behalf of the district.
Travis Pembrook, FPS Board President
The lack of answers, thought, is leaving some people in the community concerned.
"Anybody with a name in this community, in this county tends to have things a little bit easier. If it was me, and i was out shooting off the roadway, I'd still be sitting in the jail cell right now," said Travis Morris, a concerned Fairview resident.
The woman is out of the hospital and it's unclear when she'll undergo surgery to remove the bullet.
Sheriff Robinson said they are looking into the possibility of another lead, and whoever is found responsible could face criminal charges.