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Authorities say Pottawatomie County woman shot in head by son

Son, mom both taken to area hospitals with injuries

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Authorities say Pottawatomie County woman shot in head by son
Son, mom both taken to area hospitals with injuries
A Pottawatomie County woman was shot in the head by her son Sunday night, according to the Sheriff's Office.Video: 911 tapes released after woman allegedly shot by sonPottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth said after Louis Whatley shot his mother, 76-year-old Reta Rhodes, Whatley turned the gun on himself. As of Monday afternoon, Whatley was in critical, but stable, condition at OU Medical Center and Rhodes had been treated and released.KOCO obtained a copy of the 911 call. In it, Rhodes said her son is 59 years old and is a mental health patient."I've been shot in the head, my son shot me," Rhodes told the 911 operator.Rhodes barricaded herself in a bathroom while she talked with the operator. As the operator told Rhodes to stay away from the door, Rhodes said her son began shooting "through the door."Despite the tense moments, Rhodes told the operator she forgave Whately and briefly discussed his mental health issues."Will you tell my kids one thing?" Rhodes asked. "If I don't make it -- that I love all of them and not to blame their brother."Rhodes said the reason for the shooting was a disagreement about Whatley's guns.According to Booth, law enforcement was called to the home on Highway 3 earlier Sunday due to an issue with Whatley's medication; however, medical personnel cleared him.After the Rhodes called 911 about the initial shooting and deputies returned to the scene, they heard three shots fired."They don't need to shoot him, he needs to be put in an institution," Rhodes said after deputies arrived.After the last shot, Rhodes left the bathroom - against the 911 operator's advice - to find her son."He's in the floor, he shot himself," Rhodes said.Booth said deputies found Whatley with a gunshot wound on his head and side and the wounds appeared to be self-inflicted.After sheriff's deputies interview Rhodes, they can turn the case over to the District Attorney's Office to determine what will happen next.

A Pottawatomie County woman was shot in the head by her son Sunday night, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Video: 911 tapes released after woman allegedly shot by son

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Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth said after Louis Whatley shot his mother, 76-year-old Reta Rhodes, Whatley turned the gun on himself. As of Monday afternoon, Whatley was in critical, but stable, condition at OU Medical Center and Rhodes had been treated and released.

KOCO obtained a copy of the 911 call. In it, Rhodes said her son is 59 years old and is a mental health patient.

"I've been shot in the head, my son shot me," Rhodes told the 911 operator.

Rhodes barricaded herself in a bathroom while she talked with the operator. As the operator told Rhodes to stay away from the door, Rhodes said her son began shooting "through the door."

Despite the tense moments, Rhodes told the operator she forgave Whately and briefly discussed his mental health issues.

"Will you tell my kids one thing?" Rhodes asked. "If I don't make it -- that I love all of them and not to blame their brother."

Rhodes said the reason for the shooting was a disagreement about Whatley's guns.

According to Booth, law enforcement was called to the home on Highway 3 earlier Sunday due to an issue with Whatley's medication; however, medical personnel cleared him.

After the Rhodes called 911 about the initial shooting and deputies returned to the scene, they heard three shots fired.

"They don't need to shoot him, he needs to be put in an institution," Rhodes said after deputies arrived.

After the last shot, Rhodes left the bathroom - against the 911 operator's advice - to find her son.

"He's in the floor, he shot himself," Rhodes said.

Booth said deputies found Whatley with a gunshot wound on his head and side and the wounds appeared to be self-inflicted.

After sheriff's deputies interview Rhodes, they can turn the case over to the District Attorney's Office to determine what will happen next.