An anticipated wedding took a tragic twist for an Oklahoma groom, as he now faces allegations of committing murder at his own bachelor celebration.
Nolan Engel has been charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Braden Uhlmann, as detailed in an announcement by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
Authorities in McCurtain County responded to an emergency call at a residence in Broken Bow shortly before 1 a.m. on April 4. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Uhlmann, who had sustained a gunshot wound.
The 21-year-old was urgently transported to a nearby medical facility, where he succumbed to his injuries, according to officials.
The investigation, which received support from the OSBI, led authorities to determine that Engel was responsible for shooting Uhlmann. Consequently, the 22-year-old was apprehended, as confirmed by investigators.
Local news outlet KXII reported that the incident unfolded amidst the festivities of Engel’s bachelor party.
Engel—who had been on the trip with three other friends—allegedly told investigators, per court documents obtained by the news outlet, that he heard knocking noises and saw a shadow moving outside the Airbnb cabin he rented before he fired a shot with a 9mm handgun.
When he and another friend went outside, they discovered Uhlmann laying on the porch with a gunshot wound to his upper chest, according to the court records.
As officers arrived on the scene, authorities alleged that Engel made “spontaneous statements” identifying himself as the shooter, per the court records.
Oxygen reached out the OSBI, who declined to provide additional details about the case. District Attorney Mark Matloff also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Engel is currently being held at the McCurtain County Jail.
His next court date is scheduled for April 28, according to court records reviewed by Oxygen. Oxygen reached out to his attorney Jared Cannon, but did not receive an immediate response.
