TULSA, Okla. – A chilling tale of violence played out on Tulsa’s streets, as Anthony Clay Russell, a Sand Springs native, was handed a 30-year sentence for Second Degree Murder in Indian Country. U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced the grim news, with U.S. District Judge John D. Russell meting out a severe punishment: 360 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.
On October 22, 2024, first responders raced to the scene where they found Tasha Shepard, lifeless and suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of her head. Surveillance footage would later reveal the sinister truth behind her death. It showed a BMW pulling into a nearby parking lot before speeding away, leaving Tasha’s body in its wake.
Detectives traced messages between Russell and Tasha that evening, detailing an agreement for paid sex. When confronted with evidence, Russell’s initial denials crumbled. He confessed to picking her up for money, but then admitted to shooting at her out of fear after she refused payment. A BMW and the firearm were recovered from his home.
Russell is a citizen of the Osage Nation and remains in custody pending transfer to federal prison. The Tulsa Police Department and the FBI worked tirelessly on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam D. McConney and John Brasher prosecuted the case with vigor.
This crime serves as a stark reminder of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) efforts to combat violent crime and gun violence. The initiative, launched in 2021, focuses on fostering community trust, supporting prevention programs, strategic enforcement, and measuring outcomes for safer neighborhoods.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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