January 15, 2024
Beckham County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
A Carter man is in custody at the Beckham County Detention Center following a shooting which left another Beckham County man dead Thursday morning. Sheriff Derek Manning said the shooting occurred on a roadway outside an oilfield business located at 915 S. Merritt Road, where the victim reportedly worked.
Manning said the initial report of the shooting came to his office at about 8:16 am as a 911 transfer call from the Elk City Police Department. The caller stated that he had shot a man who was trying to get in through the window of his truck.
Manning said that Elk City Police and Fire Department personnel were the first to arrive at the scene, just west of Elk City. Manning said police officers immediately detained the caller who had reported firing the shot. That caller was later identified as 37-year-old Clayton Samson Hays of Carter.
Police and fire personnel attempted life-saving measures for the man who had been shot but were unable to save him, and he died at the scene. The deceased man was identified as 42-year-old Colter Jake Vaught of Sayre.
Manning said the two men knew each other and reportedly had an ongoing dispute. Manning said Beckham County deputies had received a report a few weeks ago that Hays had gone to a residence where Vaught was and had engaged in a verbal altercation.
“OSBI is assisting us with the investigation of this shooting,” Manning said. “We are obviously in the very early stages, but their agents and technical analysts and my detectives are working together to ensure as thorough an investigation as possible.”
Merritt Road was closed to all traffic near the scene for several hours Thursday as investigators and crime scene technicians searched for evidence and processed the scene. “We’re grateful to our partners at Elk City PD for their quick response, and to OHP for their help in securing the scene and helping us redirect traffic,” Manning said.
Hays is currently in custody at the Beckham County Detention Center facing a criminal complaint of First Degree Manslaughter. A judge has denied bond for Hays at this time.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
🎸 Wild Plum Jam Music Fest 2025 – July 19 in Sayre, OK
Get ready, Western Oklahoma — Wild Plum Jam Music Fest 2025 is back and it might get a little Western! 🤠 Join us on Saturday, July 19 at Sayre City Park for a full day of music,
Multi-Agency Sting in Elk City Nets Six Arrests on Drug and Felony Charges
Elk City, OK — A coordinated law enforcement operation led by the Elk City Police Department has resulted in multiple arrests tied to serious criminal offenses, following the execution of several search warrants. The effort, carried out
Elk City High School Graduate Named OCU A.D.
Oklahoma City, OK – Elk City native Sadiaa Jones was recently hired as the new Oklahoma City University Athletics Director. The 1995 Elk City High School graduate has been Executive Athletic Director for Dallas College since 2021.
SWOSU, Community Leaders Visit Fort Sill with Oklahoma Army National Guard
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Representatives from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and the City of Weatherford recently joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard for a visit to Fort Sill that highlighted the Guard’s military capabilities
SWOSU and OSIDA Partner to Expand Workforce Opportunities
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday, June 9, during a ceremony at SWOSU’s Weatherford campus. The
Alumni Weekend Raises Over $40,000 for SWOSU Football Program
Weatherford, OK – Dozens of Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) alumni and friends spent a stellar weekend celebrating SWOSU Football Legacy weekend June 6 and 7, in Weatherford. Over $40,000 was raised to support the SWOSU football
Concrete Truck Overturns at 20th and Pioneer in Elk City
Elk City, OK – A concrete truck overturned Thursday morning just after 10 a.m. at the intersection of 20th Street and Pioneer in Elk City. According to Elk City Police Chief Eddie Holland, the truck tipped over
Great Plains Regional Medical Center: Helping save lives, decrease Opioids impact
SWODA Press Release Beckham County – SWODA is proud to announce a significant partnership with Great Plains Regional Medical Center. The partnership placed a Naloxone vending machine at the Emergency Room entrance of the hospital, providing 24-hour,
Clinton Utility Customers Urged to Pay Early Ahead of Software Transition
Clinton, OK – The City of Clinton has announced a temporary disruption in utility payment services due to a scheduled software transition. From Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025, through Thursday, June 19, 2025, there will be no
Rick Koch Announces Candidacy for State Senate District 26
Weatherford, OK – Rick Koch, a conservative businessman and community leader, has officially entered the race for Oklahoma State Senate District 26. The announcement came in a press release provided by Koch’s campaign, highlighting a platform centered
Oklahoma Drought-Free for First Time in Nearly Six Years
Oklahoma is officially drought-free—for the first time since June 25, 2019. The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday, June 12, 2025, shows no signs of drought across the entire state. Not even the typical “Abnormally Dry” (D0)
OSIDA Announces Historic Partnership with Dawn Aerospace to Bring Spaceflight to Oklahoma
OSIDA Press Release Burns Flat, OK – The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) is proud to announce an innovative partnership with Dawn Aerospace that will bring the company’s revolutionary Aurora spaceplane to the Oklahoma Air and
Route 66 Fest Returns to Elk City for Father's Day Weekend Fun
Elk City, OK — The Route 66 Fest is rolling back into Elk City for a weekend packed with entertainment, food, and community celebration just in time for Father’s Day. Hosted at Ackley Park on Friday and
Western Oklahoma Rt 66 Cruise Rolls Through the Heart of Route 66 Communities
Western Oklahoma’s rich stretch of Route 66 will come alive again this summer with the annual Western Oklahoma Rt 66 Cruise, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 13–14. The cruise kicks off Friday morning at 8 a.m.
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum to Host Book Signing With Authors Jim Ross and Shellee Graham
Oklahoma Historical Society Press Release Clinton, OK — On Saturday, June 28, from 1-4 p.m., the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum will host a special signing for the new book “Route 66 – The First 100 Years” with
Fatal Crash Claims Life of El Reno Teen Near Lookeba
Caddo Co., OK – A fatal single-vehicle collision claimed the life of a 17-year-old El Reno male early Tuesday morning, June 10, 2025, in Caddo County. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 3:57
Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Propositions in Cheyenne and Clinton
Voters in both Cheyenne and Clinton turned out Tuesday, June 10, for special elections—and delivered decisive results in favor of two local propositions. Cheyenne Approves PSO Franchise Ordinance In Cheyenne, residents voted 36 to 3 in favor
SoonerCare and SNAP Enrollment Event Coming to Elk City
Elk City, OK — Red Rock Behavioral Health Services is hosting a special outreach event on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at their Elk City Outpatient Office, located at 3080 W. 3rd
Rep. Anthony Moore Reflects on “Strong, Productive” Legislative Session
Oklahoma City, OK – Rep. Anthony Moore (R-Clinton), who served as Speaker Pro Tempore during the First Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature, called the session “phenomenal,” despite a hectic finish. “We ended with a bit of
ODOT Celebrates Safety Success with District 5 in the Spotlight
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) held its June Transportation Commission meeting on June 4, 2025, honoring the commitment of its crews to workplace safety. ODOT Executive Director Tim?Gatz and Assistant Director of
Clinton Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase Through Residential Streets
Clinton, OK — A Clinton man is facing multiple charges after leading police on a dangerous high-speed chase through residential areas in the early morning hours of May 31, 2025. According to a probable cause affidavit filed
The Time Kramer was Jailed in Cordell
By Landry Brewer Cordell, OK – Washita County Undersheriff Rusty Cannon and his wife, Carol, met a famous actor at the sheriff’s office a decade and a half ago. The celebrity was in Cordell then because of
William Morris and Gail Williams Make Generous Gift to Support Future Educators at SWOSU
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to announce a significant gift from William (Bill) Morris, a 1974 alumnus of the university, and his wife, Gail, both of Wichita, Kansas. This
Voters Head to the Polls Tuesday for Special Elections in Cheyenne and Clinton
Voters in Cheyenne and Clinton will weigh in on two separate propositions during a special election on Tuesday, June 10. Cheyenne Ordinance on PSO Franchise Agreement Residents of the Town of Cheyenne will decide whether to grant
Clinton Public Schools Names Nathan Meget as Next Superintendent
Clinton, OK – Clinton Public Schools has found its next leader. Following the departure of Superintendent Tyler Bridges, the Clinton Board of Education voted Friday to name Nathan Meget as the district’s new superintendent. Meget, who currently
