Teen Dies By Suicide After Killing Mother In Accidental Shooting In Del City

Police released new information about a freak accident and tragedy over the weekend in Del City that left a teen and his mother dead.

"Anytime that an accident like that happens it's going to be tragic. Especially when he realized he had shot his mother," said Major Bradley Rule with the Del City Police Department. 

Police received a call around 11:30 p.m. Saturday night that someone had heard a gunshot coming from the home.  When police got to the scene, they found a 16-year-old boy laying in the street with a gunshot to his head.

"They were told by people on scene there was another victim inside the house," Rule said. "Officers went in and found his mother deceased of a gunshot wound to the head in the kitchen."

The teen was transported to OU Medical where he later died.

Police then talked to witnesses who were inside the home at the time. They told officers the teen was playing with a gun in the living room when it went off.

"The bullet traveled through the wall which separated the living room from the kitchen and struck his mother in the head killing her just virtually instantly," Rule said.

Rule said once the teen realized what happened, he went outside and shot himself.  One neighbor told News 9 it did not surprise him to see police back at the home.

"The police have been out here numerous times," Terry Wulff said. "There's an influx of people that come and go, just minutes at a time go in the house and come back out."

The mother was identified as 36-year-old Stephanie Rowshawne Jennings.  Police said there is nothing pointing them to believe right now that this was anything other than an accident.

No one else was hurt during the incident. 

It is our policy to provide resources for anybody considering self-harm when reporting about a situation involving suicide or a suicide attempt. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255.

The Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) connect veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.