Woman Arrested for Threatening Senior with Knife, Oxygen Tank

An Oklahoma City woman, Marketta Bates, 33, was arrested on January 20 following an incident at the Jeltz Senior Center. Local police responded to reports of an assault at the center, where they found Bates amidst a chaotic scene in a common area. The alleged victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, reported to the police that Bates had threatened him with a knife and attempted to ignite his oxygen tank.

Upon arrival, the police found the alleged victim’s oxygen tank on the ground, leaking liquid. The victim claimed that Bates had pointed a knife at him after threatening to set his oxygen tank ablaze. Bates was visiting a relative at the center at the time of the incident. She cooperated with the police, allowing them to search her as they arrested her. She informed the officers that she had a knife in her bag, which they subsequently found.

According to the police report, the victim was selling clothes in the common area when Bates accused him of stealing her mother’s phone. The situation escalated when Bates reportedly became agitated during the ensuing argument and began yelling at other residents in the vicinity.

The confrontation took a dangerous turn when Bates allegedly threatened to set the man’s oxygen tank on fire. The man quickly disconnected his breathing tubes while other residents tried to intervene and restrain Bates. She reportedly threw the oxygen tank to the ground and attempted to set a garbage pail on fire.

The victim also reported that Bates made slashing motions at him with a knife. Police reviewed security footage from the center, which corroborated the victim’s account, except for the knife incident.

Upon their arrival, police arrested Bates and charged her with attempted arson and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. She was subsequently booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.