FBI refers case to sheriff’s office

Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden said Tuesday the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Friday transferred back to the county a murder investigation stemming from a recent shooting death in the Wynona area.

Virden said his staff has been actively investigating the case in the days since it was returned to the Osage County Sheriff’s Office. The FBI became involved because the killing was initially thought to have occurred on Osage trust land.

Virden said federal authorities decided the location of the killing was not going to be considered restricted trust land.

Chief Deputy Loren Vaughan said the original call about the fatal incident came to the sheriff’s office at 6:35 p.m. Nov. 29. The incident took place at a residence at 1508 County Road 5270, he said. Vaughan identified the shooting victim as Steven Duane Gates, 38, of Wynona.

Vaughan said at least two people, Gates’ girlfriend and his stepfather, had been at the residence at the time of the shooting.

Anyone with information that may help authorities investigate the case can reach the Osage County Sheriff’s Office at 918-287-3131.