Holdenville, Oklahoma-A quiet Saturday night in Holdenville turned into a nightmare that will haunt an innocent family—and this community—for years to come.
With hearts heavy and a city shaken, authorities are urgently searching for Joshua Draper, a man now wanted in connection with a horrific home invasion and stabbing that left a man clinging to life and a woman wounded and traumatized.
The violence unfolded around 10:20 p.m. on August 3, in what neighbors describe as one of the quietest stretches of South Oak Street. But that peace was shattered in an instant when, according to police, Draper kicked in the front door and launched into a violent assault inside a home occupied by two unsuspecting residents.
A male victim was stabbed multiple times in the unprovoked attack. He remains in critical condition, fighting for his life in a nearby hospital. A female victim was also hurt, though she sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The emotional wounds, however, may never heal.
“It was a senseless act of cruelty,” said Holdenville Police Chief Mark Carter, his voice heavy with frustration and sadness. “No one deserves what happened inside that home.”
A Manhunt with Urgency—and Fear
Authorities quickly identified Draper as a suspect. Witnesses saw him flee the scene on a motorcycle, which was later found abandoned several blocks away. Since then, his whereabouts remain unknown. Officers are pleading with the public to help find him—while urging extreme caution.
“This man is considered armed and extremely dangerous,” Chief Carter warned. “We need your help—but do not approach him. Call 911.”
Draper, described as a white male in his 30s, 5’10” tall with a medium build, may still be in Hughes County or could be attempting to flee. Authorities have not said whether the knife or weapon used in the stabbing has been recovered.
Unanswered Questions and a Community on Edge
Investigators have yet to determine a motive. Was this family targeted? Or was the violence random?
Those questions weigh heavily on neighbors, many of whom are reeling from the crime and rethinking their sense of safety in what was once a quiet community.
“You never think something like this could happen here,” said one South Oak Street resident, visibly shaken. “It’s terrifying.”
A Family Changed Forever
The families of the victims are asking for privacy as they face the unimaginable: a loved one fighting for survival, a home turned crime scene, and a city that feels less safe with each passing hour that Draper remains free.
“We know people care,” said Chief Carter. “This is a tight-knit town. Please—if you saw something, if you know something—come forward. Your call might make the difference between justice and tragedy.”
How to Help
If you have information related to the whereabouts of Joshua Draper, or footage from the area around 10:00 p.m. on August 3, contact Hughes County Central Dispatch at (405) 379-6627 or dial 911. Tips may remain anonymous.
As the manhunt continues, Holdenville grieves—and waits. For answers. For justice. And above all, for healing.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more details emerge.