The shooting followed reports of gunfire from inside a southwest Oklahoma City apartment.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Oklahoma City police said Wednesday that Brenda Deer, 45, was the woman killed when an officer returned fire during a standoff at a southwest-side apartment complex.
The incident drew a large police response after officers received reports Tuesday night that a woman was firing a gun inside an apartment near Southwest 60th Street and McKinley Avenue. Police said the first officers on scene could not get Deer to leave the apartment, and the department’s tactical team was called.
As the standoff continued, officers moved neighbors away from the area. Police said the evacuation was done because rounds were being fired from inside the apartment and officers did not want anyone nearby to be struck. The scene remained active for hours as officers tried to negotiate with Deer.
Police said the situation changed around 1 a.m. Wednesday, when Deer fired several rounds out of an apartment window toward officers. An officer shot back, and Deer was killed. Authorities said no officers or bystanders were injured during the exchange.
The officer who fired the shot has not been publicly identified. Police said the officer was placed on administrative leave while investigators review the shooting. The department has not released a detailed timeline beyond the initial call, the tactical response and the fatal gunfire early Wednesday.
Several facts remain unknown, including what prompted the first reports of gunfire, how many shots were fired, whether any rounds struck nearby apartments and whether police recovered a firearm from the unit. Officials have not announced any charges connected to the incident.
The case is now in the review stage. Investigators are expected to examine witness statements, officer accounts, physical evidence and any available camera footage before the department releases more information.
Author note: Last updated May 21, 2026.