Police arrest son of Oklahoma official who was fatally stabbed

Gov. Mary Fallin says flags on state property will fly at half-staff in honor of Oklahoma’s labor commissioner, who was stabbed to death.

The suspect is his son, Christian Costello, 26.

A family spokesperson says Costello’s funeral will be on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello died Sunday after he was stabbed multiple times at an Oklahoma City restaurant and his adult son was arrested on a first-degree murder complaint, police said. The two then got into an argument according to witnesses which resulted in Christian stabbing his father. In his plea agreement, he disclosed the mental treatment and said he was taking mood stabilizers.

Christian Costello pleaded guilty and received a deferred sentence in the DUI case, in which he was also accused of assaulting the Oklahoma County deputy arresting him.

Final yr, he was cited for a misdemeanor, “outraging public decency”, for allegedly standing outdoors of an Oklahoma Metropolis elementary faculty together with his pajama trousers down.

Officers responded to a report of a stabbing at a Braum’s restaurant on May Ave. just north of Hefner Road and found Costello, who had been stabbed multiple times in the head and neck area.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Amy Elliot, spokeswoman of the State’s Medical Examiner’s Office said an autopsy will be conducted.

His 26-year-old son, Christian Costello, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder.

It was unclear whether Christian Costello has an attorney.

Witnesses said Mark Costello’s wife also tried to separate Christian Costello from his father and get the commissioner into the family vehicle, but she couldn’t stop the fatal attack.

State law requires Fallin to appoint a successor to complete the remainder of Costello’s term, which ends in 2018.

“Mark Costello was a tremendous leader, colleague and most importantly friend to all of those at the Oklahoma Department of Labor”, the statement said. The meeting turned violent, and Christian Costello pulled out a knife.

Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Randy Brogdon mourned the loss of his friend.

“Christian, like hundreds of Oklahomans, struggles with a psychological well being illness and like many households we did our greatest to help him”, they stated.

U.S. Senator James Lankford, of Oklahoma, praised Costello’s record.

“I feel like I’m still in a bad dream”, Frihart said about Costello’s death.