Oklahoma City Duo Plead Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearms Following Shooting at Apartment Complex

OKLAHOMA CITY – LARRY WELCH, 29, and JACOB MADISON, 24, both of Oklahoma City, have each pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On May 6, 2025, a federal Grand Jury returned a two-count Indictment, charging both Welch and Madison with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to public record, on April 7, 2025, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a reported shooting at an apartment complex. Witnesses told police that prior to the shooting, they had been involved in a dispute with the shooting suspects, later identified as Welch and Madison. Nobody was injured as a result of the shooting. Officers reviewed nearby surveillance video which showed Welch and Madison opening fire on the unarmed witnesses and then fleeing the complex. Officers canvassed the area, and shortly thereafter arrested Welch and Madison, who were found hiding in a residential backyard shed on a nearby property. Law enforcement also recovered two firearms, which Welch and Madison used during the shooting.

Public records show that both Welch and Madison have lengthy criminal histories. Welch has previous felony convictions that include:

• possession of a firearm after felony conviction in Cherokee County District Court case number CF-2015-629;
• injuring or burning a public building in Mayes County District Court case number CF-2015-0228; and
• feloniously pointing a firearm in Cleveland County District Court case number CF-2019-1389.

Madison has previous felony convictions that include:

• second-degree burglary in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2020-1275;
• knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property in Canadian County District Court case number CF-2022-437; and
• possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, committing a felony with a firearm with a defaced ID number, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia in McClain County District Court case number CF-2023-0072.

On July 16, 2025, both Welch and Madison pleaded guilty, and both admitted they possessed a firearm despite their previous felony convictions. 

At sentencing, the defendants face up to 15 years in federal prison each, and fines of up to $250,000.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laney Ellis (SAUSA) is prosecuting the case. SAUSA Ellis is an attorney with City of Oklahoma City whose position is funded by a federal Project Safe Neighborhoods grant awarded to the City of Oklahoma City to enhance efforts to address and reduce violent crime.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.