🌱 Police Chief Addresses Shootings + Escaped Inmate Recaptured

Hi all. Nicole Fallon-Peek here with your Tuesday edition of the Oklahoma City Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in the community.

But first, today's weather:

Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm. High: 73 Low: 56.

Here are the top three stories in Oklahoma City today:

1. Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley recently sat for an interview with KOCO News 5 to discuss the department's plans to address shootings. Gourley said that Oklahoma City is, generally speaking, a safe area, and the recent shootings have involved the mixture of firearms and alcohol. He also said there has been an increase in people who carry firearms. Chief Gourley explained that the department increases patrols on weekends and in the evenings and targets areas that are more likely to have issues. When asked about the department's preparedness for a mass shooting event, he said the department gathers intelligence and responds to every threat while also maintaining a high level of training for officers. (KOCO News 5)
2. An inmate who walked away from the Clara Waters Community Correctional Center in Oklahoma City has been recaptured. Thomas Arnhold, 32, was serving a four-year sentence for domestic abuse. Arnhold reportedly walked away from the facility in the early morning hours of May 14. (News on 6)
3. Oklahoma City's first cat café has opened its doors! Customers had the chance to meet almost two dozen adoptable cats in the café's Cat Lounge. Entry into the Cat Lounge is $15 per person for one hour and is limited to 10 people at a time, or customers can sip on coffee drinks and watch the cats through a full glass wall that separates the Cat Lounge from the coffee shop. Cat Café is a full-service coffee shop that offers food items from The Loaded Bowl, a popular vegan eatery. (KTUL)

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Today in Oklahoma City:

• Myriad In Motion Free Yoga At Water Plaza Room 301 West Reno Ave. (6:00 PM)
• Board Game Night At OK Cider Co. (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is gearing up for Endangered Species Day this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. There will be a zoo-wide celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act with family activities, caretaker chats, and photo opportunities. (Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• The public is invited to attend a free presentation about the history of human rights in Oklahoma City at Ralph Ellison Library on May 24 at 9:00 a.m. The presentation will be led by Dr. George Henderson, director of the Advanced Studies program at Oklahoma University. (City of Oklahoma City - Government via Facebook)
• Discount retailer "pOpshelf" has announced that its new Oklahoma City location is open for business! pOpshelf offers a variety of seasonal and home décor items, cleaning supplies, health and beauty items, arts and crafts, and more, with many items priced at $5 or less. (OKC Fox)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! I'll see you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.