Mike and Mary Moore, owners of Mike’s Towing in Tulsa, were shot and killed Friday after a dispute over a towed vehicle turned violent, according to Tulsa police. Darius Jones has been arrested on two counts of murder. The couple had finalized the adoption of their 12-year-old daughter earlier this year.
Employees at Mike’s Towing near Pine and Garnett are grieving after Tulsa police say the business’s owners, Mike and Mary Moore, were murdered Friday when a dispute over a towed vehicle escalated into gunfire.
What Happened
According to police, a group of three people arrived at Mike’s Towing on North Garnett Road to retrieve a vehicle that had been towed from private property. A dispute broke out between Darius Jones and Mike Moore, and officers say Jones pulled a gun. Police say Mike drew a weapon in self-defense, but Jones shot both Mike and Mary before Mike collapsed — managing to strike Jones in the arm as he went down.
Mary Moore died at the scene. Mike Moore was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Jones was treated at the hospital for his gunshot wound, then released and booked into jail on two counts of murder.
A Family Torn Apart
Mike and Mary had finalized the adoption of their 12-year-old daughter earlier this year. She has now lost both of her parents.
Staff at Catoosa First Church, where the couple were longtime members, confirmed the identities of the victims and shared a statement on behalf of the Moore family:
“Our family is deeply grateful for the tremendous care, prayers, love and support we have received during this incredibly difficult time. We are thankful to our community, first responders, law enforcement, friends, and all those who have reached out to us as we grieve this devastating loss. We kindly ask the media and public to respect our privacy and to give us the space we need to mourn together. We appreciate your continued prayers and understanding.”
In keeping with the family’s request, this report focuses only on information they and the church have chosen to share publicly.
Remembered as “Some of the Best People”
The church described Mike and Mary as beloved members of their community, known for consistently helping and serving others.
Joshua Katschke, an employee at Mike’s Towing who had known the couple for years, described them as family.
“Mike and Mary would take their shirts — including the one I have — off the backs that they wear and give it to anybody. They’re very churchgoing people. And I wish this didn’t have to happen,” Katschke said.
He credited Mike with giving him far more than a paycheck. “Gave me a job, a place to live,” Katschke said. “He’d always come in and smile. Always send me on a call that he knew that no one else could do. Taught me what I needed, stood up for me. Gave me everything I needed to survive. Taught me that family was everything.”
Katschke also hopes the tragedy draws attention to the dangers tow truck drivers face on the job, even though most don’t enjoy the repossession side of the work.
“That danger starts right there when you hook that car up, because the other customer doesn’t know — [they] can come out and attack you, stab you, kill you on site,” Katschke said. “What happened here today took a family man away.”
How to Help
Catoosa First Church has launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses and provide ongoing support for the Moores’ daughter as she navigates life without her parents.
“This fundraiser is being created to help with funeral costs and to provide ongoing support for their daughter as she faces the days ahead without her parents,” the fundraiser states. “In the middle of this sudden and painful loss, our church hopes to surround her with as much care and stability as possible. Any support, whether through a donation or by sharing this fundraiser, will mean so much.”
The church is asking the community to keep the Moores’ daughter and extended family in their prayers during this time.
