In Oklahoma, a birthday party turned tragic when a police officer shot a family dog, Opie, in front of children. The incident occurred during 5-year-old Eli’s celebration and has sparked outrage and questions about the officer’s actions.
Vicky Malone, Eli’s mother, had just brought the children inside for cake and ice cream when they heard a loud bang. They discovered that Opie had been shot by a Winwood police officer. Opie, a 90 lb American Bulldog and Pit Bull mix, was Eli’s best friend, and the shooting left the young boy devastated.
The officer initially claimed that Opie had lunged at him through the fence. However, a video showed the dog lying inside the fence with a gunshot wound to the head, raising questions about the officer’s account.
The officer, identified as Josh Franklin, had reportedly entered the property to serve a warrant for someone who had lived at the address a decade ago. Despite knowing that the address was now a rental property and that the current residents were not the individuals listed on the warrant, the officer proceeded with the attempt to serve it.
The incident has left Eli and his family grieving the loss of Opie and questioning the officer’s actions. Eli, who made a small wooden cross for Opie’s grave, is struggling to understand why his best friend was killed on his birthday.
The Winwood police department has defended the officer’s actions, stating that he was justified in shooting Opie. However, the incident has raised concerns about the use of lethal force and the need for better training for law enforcement officers.
The Malone family is calling for justice for Opie and hoping to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Their story serves as a reminder of the impact of such incidents on families and communities.