Melissa McClendon
“Pray for our young children. Not just the black children and not just the white children,” said Mary Keys, Chouteau, “Pray for my family and our children.”
Keys is asking for prayers after a seven day search for her missing teenage nephew, Derek Russell, and his friend Martin Marion turned into a search for their bodies Wednesday afternoon.
It had been seven days since anyone saw the two Tulsa teenagers who went missing after walking to a nearby convenience store. Both 19-year-old Russell and his best friend, 17-year-old Marion had medical conditions that added to their families ever growing concerns.
Keys said the police never thought the boys were runaways. Since finding out about her missing nephew, Keys and her tight knit family worked tirelessly to find both boys, posting fliers and asking questions.
Wednesday afternoon Keys said her family was informed that the police have reason to believe the boys were victims of a shooting that occurred last week. Keys said a young man who was allegedly shot in the face last week has identified both Russell and Marion as being victims of the same shooting. Keys said DNA samples also matched DNA taken from a vehicle involved in the shooting.
“He said they were shot first,” said Keys, who also believes the police have a person of interest in the case.
On July 30, at 9:30 p.m.., Keys said the boys were last seen at a Fiesta Mart convenience store at 21st and Garnett in Tulsa. The store was located just two blocks from Russell’s home.
“It was very unusual for them not to check in,” said Keys.
Russell’s mother, Neisha Russell, became concerned when she had not heard from her son. She called the Tulsa Police Department and filed a missing persons report. That was seven days ago.
Russell, who was a diabetic, was taking insulin injections twice a day. Keys said when her nephew left home on the night of July 30 he did not have any of his medicine. He also left his cell phone. Marion was asthmatic and kept an inhaler with him. He left his inhaler at Russell’s home along with his backpack. Keys said because they did not take their medicine or a cell phone the family felt the teens intended to come right back.
Keys, who described Russell as friendly, caring and very mannerly, said the both young men were good kids.
“They weren’t involved in any gang. They’re just teenagers,” Keys said.
Anyone with information about the missing teens or information about the recent shooting should contact crimestoppers at 596-COPS.
