BIXBY—The Bixby Police Department has closed its investigation of the July 6 deaths of Tulsa business leader Sherry Gamble Smith and her husband, Martin E. Smith, The Black Chronicle has learned.
The department declared the “domestic incident” was a murder-suicide.
“Evidence at the scene, as well as digital evidence, and home security video show that Martin Everett Smith shot and killed Sherry Gamble Smith during a domestic argument at their Bixby home,” Officer Bryan Toney, public information officer for the department, said in a news release.
Mrs. Smith was president of the Tulsa Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce.
After Bixby police arrived at the Smith home in Bixby, they found Mrs. Smith dead and found Mr. Smith wounded.
He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
“Evidence and interviews confirm that the couple had been involved in an on-going domestic problem that began several days before the incident,” the news release continued.
“Security video at the home and digital evidence showed Martin Everett Smith spending most of the night before the murder sitting alone in his garage at the couple’s home,” Officer Toney said in the news release.
“Shortly before the murder on the morning of July 6, the security video shows Smith removing a pistol from the garage, placing it in his waistband and entering the home.”
“Shortly thereafter, Smith placed a phone call to an out-of-state family member prior to killing Sherry Gamble Smith before turning the gun on himself,” the news release went on.
“Martin Everett Smith later died at a Tulsa hospital.
“The case will be closed as a murder-suicide resulting from a domestic argument.”
“Our hearts go out to all of the victims of domestic violence, including those family members who are affected by domestic violence,” Officer Toney commented.
“Victims are encouraged to reach out to the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1(800)799-7233, or the Oklahoma mental health crisis hotline by dialing “988” on their telephone.”
