Tulsa Man Arrested for Alleged Murder of Father, Shooting of Girlfriend
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the New Haven Apartments near 62nd Street and Peoria Avenue, a late-night incident on November 6, 2025, left two people gravely wounded and one deceased. The victims are identified as 67-year-old Ted Gilford Sr. and his girlfriend, 64-year-old Maria Lopez. According to authorities, at approximately 8:45 p.m., officers from the Tulsa Police Department responded to a shooting call at the apartment complex. When they arrived, they discovered Mr. Gilford Sr. and Ms. Lopez suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel transported both victims to a nearby hospital. Despite treatment efforts, Mr. Gilford Sr. later passed away from his injuries. Ms. Lopez remains hospitalized and is listed in stable but serious condition.
The suspect in the case is the victim’s adult son, 29-year-old Michael Gilford, who was taken into custody later that evening. Investigators allege that Michael entered his father’s apartment, shot Mr. Gilford Sr., and then fired at Ms. Lopez during the incident. The motive remains under investigation, with police stating that the suspect and the father had been involved in a heated domestic dispute earlier in the day. Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses, review video surveillance from the complex, and search for any statements made by the suspect after the shooting.
The apartment complex, located in a residential neighborhood of north Tulsa, was secured by law enforcement as a crime scene. Neighbors reported hearing loud gunfire and called 911 shortly afterward. First responders found the victims inside the unit; no other injuries or suspects were reported at the scene. Tulsa Police have confirmed that Michael Gilford was already acquainted with both victims, eliminating a stranger-attack scenario. Family members say Mr. Gilford Sr. had lived at the complex for several years and that the relationship between father and son had recently deteriorated over financial and personal issues.
In a brief press conference, the Tulsa Police Department’s homicide division stated that the initial evidence suggests a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence. The suspect was booked on charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder with a firearm. A bond hearing is expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, the community has expressed shock at the incident, with neighbors describing the Gilford family as quiet and unassuming. A local pastor organizing a vigil outside the apartment complex called it “a tragic turn of events that no one saw coming.”
The surviving victim, Maria Lopez, is being supported by family and friends, while the Gilford family has asked for privacy as they mourn the loss of their father and partner. Tulsa Police have urged anyone with additional information about the night of November 6 to come forward and assist investigators in piecing together the events that led to the deadly confrontation. The case remains active and the motive remains unconfirmed, but authorities emphasize they intend to pursue the matter to its fullest extent under state law.