Marilyn Cockrill remained in critical condition Friday after a gunshot to the abdomen inside an office on South Green Avenue in Purcell, turning an ordinary late morning into a life-or-death emergency. The shooting happened just after 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 6, and emergency crews rushed her to an Oklahoma City hospital for surgery. Her husband, Charles Cockrill, was briefly detained at the scene, then treated and released for wrist injuries. City and county responders say they are still working to piece together exactly what happened, as reported by the Purcell Register.
According to the Purcell Register, Charles told officers he was cleaning a .45-caliber pistol in the office when it discharged and struck his wife in the abdomen. The paper reports that Purcell police questioned Charles at the scene, and that Wadley's EMS rushed Marilyn to surgery. Reporters for the Register said they attempted to reach the McClain County District Attorney’s office for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Emergency Response and Treatment
Purcell Police, Purcell Fire and the McClain County Sheriff's Office all responded to the office on South Green Avenue, where they secured the scene and assisted medical personnel. Wadley's EMS transported Marilyn to a higher-level hospital in Oklahoma City for surgery. Wadley's is a Purcell-based ambulance provider that covers roughly 900 square miles and offers advanced life support. The service notes on its website that it routinely carries critically injured patients to Oklahoma City-area hospitals. According to state hospital listings, Purcell Municipal Hospital is the town's acute-care facility.
Investigation
Purcell Assistant Chief James Bolling told the Purcell Register that the case remains under active investigation. Detectives are interviewing witnesses and processing the scene as they work to confirm how the reported accidental discharge occurred. As of the Register's report, there were no public filings or announced charges, and the McClain County District Attorney's office had not responded to the paper's requests for comment.
Safety Context
While investigators sort through the details of this case, firearm-safety advocates continue to emphasize the long-standing basics: treat every gun as if it is loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. The National Shooting Sports Foundation provides public-awareness materials and resources focused on preventing accidental shootings through those core safety practices.
