CHINA / NEWS HOUR
Exclusive: Identity of victims involved in Oklahoma shooting still yet to be verified: Chinese embassy
Published: Nov 24, 2022 01:38 PM Updated: Nov 24, 2022 01:33 PM
A law enforcement officer enters a residence near Lacey, Okla., in Kingfisher County, on November 21, 2022, where four people killed.

A law enforcement officer enters a residence near Lacey, Okla., in Kingfisher County, on November 21, 2022, where four people killed.


Although some media outlets reported that the four dead in the shooting incident near Hennessey, Oklahoma on November 20 were Chinese nationals, specific information such as the nationalities of the victims has not been confirmed and is still being verified, the Chinese Embassy in the US told the Global Times on Thursday.

The Chinese Embassy in the US will stay in close contact with the US government, follow up the case in a timely manner, and provide consular protection and assistance to the Chinese citizens involved, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said in a statement sent to the Global Times.

According to the New York Times, three men and a woman were executed, and a fifth victim was injured in a shooting incident that happened at a marijuana farm in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma. The fifth victim was taken to a hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

A man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the shooting, according to the New York Times.

After the incident was reported, the Chinese Embassy in the US and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately launched the emergency response mechanism and contacted the US Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and other relevant departments for verification.

On Wednesday, the spokesperson of US Embassy in China said in a statement sent to the Global Times that "We are saddened to learn of the deaths of four Chinese nationals in a shooting incident near Hennessey, Oklahoma on November 20, and we are closely following the ongoing investigation by US law enforcement."

Earlier on Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in the US said it had immediately contacted relevant US government departments, local police and the family of the victims. As the identities of the dead and injured may be Chinese nationals or ethnic Chinese, the Embassy will stay in close contact with the US government, follow up the case in a timely manner, and provide consular protection and assistance to the Chinese citizens involved.

Global Times