An Oklahoma City man with a history of felony convictions has been handed a 90-month sentence in federal prison for illegal firearm possession, following an incident where he discharged a weapon outside a home. This sentencing comes as part of "Operation Shots Fired," an initiative aimed to curb gun violence effectively. According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Davy Eugene King, 52, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release post-incarceration.
King's arrest, which occurred on February 2, was the result of police responding to a shooting where King actively fired his weapon after becoming argumentative and then fled. Reported unarmed at a nearby gas station shortly thereafter, King was seen by officers tossing the gun across the counter when they surrounded the convenience store. Public records showed that King's past convictions include second-degree murder and domestic abuse, among other offenses.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Scott L. Palk noted the defendant's significant criminal history and the seriousness of the crime, where King not only possessed the weapon but fired it. It was emphasized by Judge Palk that such conduct warranted the substantial prison term, emphasizing the need to address repeat offenders who contribute to the cycle of gun violence.
Investigations conducted by the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led to King's indictment on March 4, 2025, for illegal possession of a firearm after a felony. He had pleaded guilty to the charge on April 19, acknowledging his unlawful possession of a firearm despite his criminal history. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laney Ellis, funded by a Project Safe Neighborhoods grant, prosecuted the case to underscore joint efforts to reduce violent crime.
This case falls under the broader framework of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which unites law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve to mitigate violent crime and enforce federal firearms laws effectively. "Operation Shots Fired" specifically targets individuals discharging firearms in criminal acts, signaling the Western District of Oklahoma's commitment to decreasing gun violence through legal enforcement and community collaboration.
