4 killed in 'violent' shooting, dismembered, thrown in Oklahoma river

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Investigators revealed that four close friends who inexplicably disappeared in Oklahoma were killed in a "violent" shooting at a scrapyard, mutilated, and dumped in a river.

Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice stated during a press conference Monday that the owner of the scrapyard, Joe Kennedy, is a person of interest in the triple murder. Kennedy, according to Prentice, has not been named as a suspect.

Kennedy was reported missing on Monday. On Tuesday, police said he was found in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, and arrested for allegedly driving a car that had been reported stolen in Okmulgee County.

The victims, Mark Chastain, 32, Billy Chastain, 30, Mike Sparks, 32, and Alex Stevens, 29, were last seen leaving one of their homes in Okmulgee on the night of Oct. 9, after reportedly riding bicycles, according to Okmulgee police.

"I've worked over 80 murders in my career ... but this case involves the highest number of victims and it's a very violent event," the chief said.

According to Prentice, the victims planned to commit a crime that night, mentioning an individual who was requested to participate but declined. Police had no idea what the suspected intended crime entailed. Their four dismembered bodies were found in a river on Friday.

There's nothing to explain about any relationship between Kennedy and the victims, Prentice said. Kennedy has denied knowing them, he added. The victims' bicycles remain missing, police said.