Apartment complex owners could be charged in death

DEL CITY, OKLAHOMA - Del City officials said the owners of an apartment complex could be charged after a man apparently trying to steal copper wire was electrocuted.

Del City Police Lt. Jody Suit said the body of 32-year-old Damon Patrick Schmidt was found in a condemned area of the Kristie Manor Apartments. Suit said it appeared Schmidt had been dead about 24 hours.

Police said it appeared Schmidt was trying to steal copper from an electrical box. Suit said Schmidt's father found the body about 10 feet from an industrial-size electrical box, with tools nearby.

Mark Edwards, Del City's city manager, said that because that section of the apartment was condemned and considered dilapidated, that area should have been secured and patrolled.