A felony warrant has been issued for Douglas Lee Tatum on charges of assault and battery with a deadly weapon. On March 24, 2023, Deputy Keith Wardlow and Undersheriff Trevor Teague responded to a distress call at 7460 East 147 Road in Allen, Oklahoma. The call came from Shane Varnado and his girlfriend Ashley Mauldin, who reported an assault and vehicle theft at a nearby barn located at Broadway of America and Gerty Road.

Upon arrival, the officers spoke with Shane and Ashley, who reported that Shane had been assaulted by Douglas Lee Tatum, born August 10, 2001. According to Ashley, she had left the scene before the assault occurred and Shane was asleep in his truck in the passenger seat. Shane reported that he was awakened by being assaulted by Tatum, who then stole his truck and left the scene with his girlfriend, Heather Sanford.

During the incident, Tatum allegedly ran over Shane’s foot with the stolen truck and drove the vehicle into the side of the barn. He then hit Shane again by the gate as he was exiting the property. Shane sustained injuries and was transported to receive medical attention by his father.

Heather Sanford was also reportedly injured during the incident.

Tatum has been identified as the primary suspect in the case and is currently at large. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the Hughes County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and more information will be released as it becomes available.