CLAREMORE, Okla. — The arrest of a former Rogers State University student last month may have thwarted plans for what a Claremore police affidavit states could have led to a “Rogers State massacre” involving the shooting of eight students.

Early this week, records filed in District Court shed light on the arrest and charges against Tywone Parks, 24, who was a student at the unversity until his arrest last month.

Claremore police were sent to Parks’ apartment on Feb. 18, following the discovery of a severed dog’s head on the porch of a female neighbor.

In the narrative of their initial meeting with Parks, Claremore Police Lt. Charles Goad indicated he had observed writings of Parks containing the statements, “I can’t wait to choke the life out of Gaft,” and “I want to cut Paula’s head off and stick it in my freezer.”

Goad said Parks told him “Paula” and “Gaft” were real people, and the writings were part of a “manifesto.” Both people had come into contact with Parks at the university. They were later identified as Paula Blalock and Brandon Gaffney.

Also during Goad’s Feb. 19 meeting with Parks, he took custody of one loaded .45 caliber handgun and a shotgun, with Parks’ consent.

Goad also obtained a magazine-loaded .22 caliber rifle from the trunk of Parks’ vehicle.

During the ensuing investigation, Goad contacted Blalock who confirmed her relationship with Parks, and said he had told her to “live each day as though it were her last,” and that Parks had indicated he had “homicidal thoughts since the age of 7.”

Goad also learned of numerous text messages Parks had sent to a fraternity member, requesting the help of placing a body “the size of a small boy.”

During the execution of a search warrant in Parks’ apartment, police recovered his personal journal, in which Parks details “watching a female minor child outside a local business, the abduction of her and his plans to (sexually) abuse her,” police filings report.

Additional writings found at Parks’ residence include statements regarding his claims of “hating women and believing they should be punished,” as well as a description of Parks’ desire of having sex with a girl.

Parks was arrested Feb. 22, following a psychological evaluation at Grand Lake Mental Health Center. He was booked into Rogers County Jail on charges of “planning to perform act of death,” jail records indicate.

At Parks’ Thursday, Feb. 28, bond hearing, details surrounding his arrest were given by investigators, including reports he had admitted to severing a dog’s head and leaving it on the doorstep of a friend.

Portions of the partially skinned dog were recovered near Oologah Lake, based upon Parks’ directions to it. Parks allegedly admitted to a history of “torturing animals.”

Allegations read against Parks at his bond hearing were consistent with the narratives found in protective orders filed against him on Wednesday, Feb. 20, by Katharine Maynor, Christina Shipman and Paula Blalock, all of whom are residents of Deer Run apartments.

At Parks’ arraignment, the felony charge of “planning to commit act of violence” and misdemeanor charge “outraging public decency” were entered against him.

In the case file CF-2008-123, State of Oklahoma v. Tywone Dion Parks, details of the felony charge allege Parks:

“Planned to cut off the head of Paula Blalock and stick it in his freezer by obtaining a small ax and practicing the same by cutting off the head of a dog.”

“Planned to commit violence of kill Brandon Gaffney by having weapons and outlining plans in writing.”

“Further planning to commit a Rogers State Massacre involving the shooting of eight students and having weapons and writing a plan of action.”

Parks is in Rogers County Jail in lieu of $750,000 Bond. His next court appearance is set for March 19, before Special Judge Joe L. Smith.

RSU officials took action when they learned of the possible threat prior to Parks’ arrest. The campus security procedures alerted faculty members and office personnel in each building.



Tom Fink writes for Claremore (Okla.) Progress.