One dead in shooting

A Creek County woman is dead in an apparent shooting and a 68year-old man has been airlifted to St. John's Medical Center with multiple gunshot wounds.

Howard Combs, 68, was transported with gunshot wounds to the chest, leg and hand from a residence two miles north of Slick. Investigators are still trying to confirm the identity of the woman, also in her 60s. [later identified shooting death of Ella Tennessee Broom, 65, who was found dead in the couple's bed with two gunshot wounds to her abdomen.]

The two were discovered by a brother and sister-in-law at 7:30 am today. The house showed no signs of forced entry. Investigators discovered a .38-caliber revolver with six shots fired.
 

Oklahoman Archives, The
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
February 2, 1996

Man Indicted in Slaying

SAPULPA - A 68-year-old man from Slick was being held Thursday in the Creek County Jail following his indictment on a first-degree murder charge in his live-in girlfriend's death.

A grand jury unsealed an indictment Wednesday against Howard Combs in the Nov. 3 shooting death of Ella Tennessee Broom, 65, who was found dead in the couple's bed with two gunshot wounds to her abdomen.

Combs was shot in the chest, leg and hand with a .38-caliber handgun. He offered authorities no explanation for who may have shot him, said Creek County Undersheriff Ron Powers. Combs allegedly told the grand jury he shot the woman during an argument over money.

Combs was arrested and held without bail Wednesday.