FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Brook Arbeitman

January 19, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office has dismissed the First Degree Murder charge against 15-year-old Davyion Hamilton. Hamilton was arrested and charged for the shooting death of 17-year-old Cordae Carter at the Choctaw versus Del City High School Football game on August 25, 2023.

Charges were filed against Hamilton in September based on a witness identifying him as the suspect to police. Subsequent to the charges being filed, the witness recanted their identification of Hamilton. As such, the charges against Hamilton were dismissed without prejudice, meaning charges can be refiled.

In December, the DA’s Office requested assistance from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). Their investigation into Cordae’s death and the shooting of a female student is open and ongoing.

“To Cordae’s family, I promise we are not giving up on identifying and prosecuting the person responsible for his death,” said Vicki Zemp Behenna, Oklahoma County District Attorney. “The OSBI is following investigative leads and processing evidence. Based on their investigation, charges can be refiled in the future since there is no statute of limitations for murder.”

Anyone in attendance at the football game who has any information about the shootings or has any cell phone video or pictures of the fight that led to the shootings, please contact the OSBI at 1-800-522-8017. You can remain anonymous.

Criminal charges are based on probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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