The City of Broken Arrow intends to tear down the house where five family members were murdered in July 2015.
"Our purpose — the city's purpose — for the first responders, for the neighborhood, is to make this property go away. It's doubtful that anybody would buy it, but we want to make sure nobody does," said Councilor Mike Lester.
Lester is leading the effort to turn the Bever family home into a symbol of healing for neighbors and for first responders, like Broken Arrow Police Sgt. Stephen Garrett.
"The images in the minds of those first responders that came here that night never go away," Garrett said.
Robert and Michael Bever were arrested after police found the bodies of their parents and three siblings inside the home. The victims were stabbed dozens of times.
Two siblings survived and now live with a caregiver.
Firefighter Justin Sharp said his truck was turned back that night.
"But two of the guys that were on my crew didn't, and they were an integral part of this all night that night," Sharp said. "I've seen firsthand how it affected them, how it still affects them."
Neighbor Matt Jacobsen doesn’t want to see the house anymore.
"We're proud to say, because we maintain a beautiful relationship with the extended family, we have their blessing on this. It is the right thing to do," Jacobsen said.
A nonprofit account, the Bever Family First Responders Memorial Garden Fund, has been set up with the Tulsa Community Foundation to raise money to buy the house. The foundation would then give the house to the city.
The house is currently owned by the bank and is being held off the market. There’s an April 7 deadline for the campaign.
It’s unknown how much money is needed, but city officials doubt anyone will make a profit from the sale.
