Tulsa County District Attorney Stabbed in His Home, Daughter Arrested: Police

Tulsa District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler (C) stands with Tulsa Sheriff's deputies before a news conference in Tulsa, Okla., on Sept. 22, 2016. Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP

The daughter of Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has been arrested for allegedly stabbing her father.

Jennifer Kunzweiler, 30, is accused of stabbing the Oklahoma DA multiple times in the arm and midsection at the family’s Forest Hill Estates home on Tuesday. He was taken to the hospital by emergency services. Jennifer Kunzweiler was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and was at the hospital under police guard as of Wednesday.

“@TulsaPolice has criminal jurisdiction and will work this case like all other cases,” Police Chief Wendell Franklin said in a Sept. 28 tweet. “Detectives are continuing to gather evidence.”

Jennifer Kunzweiler was treated for self-inflicted wounds that were sustained before the attack. Upon her release, she will be charged with one count of domestic violence using a dangerous weapon, Tulsa Police Capt. Richard Meulenberg said, according to NBC News.

The attack was triggered by an altercation between the DA and his daughter, the police captain stated. Firefighters who arrived at the scene had to wrestle with Jennifer Kunzweiler to get her under control, he added.

“Unfortunately today, I found myself in a situation that I hoped would never happen,” Steve Kunzweiler said in a statement Tuesday night, according to Fox23. “Fortunately, my injuries are such that I was able to go home. Thank you to everyone who expressed concern for me and my family.”

Steve Kunzweiler is a Republican who was elected to his post in November 2014. He was reelected for a second term in 2018 and is running unopposed for a third term in November.

Mental Health Issues, Previous Stabbings

The motive for the attack remains uncertain as police are yet to interview Jennifer Kunzweiler. However, Meulenberg referred to her as having “some mental illness.” She has no record of previous criminal activities.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Steve Kunzweiler called the attack one of the “toughest days” his family has endured.

Standing by his younger daughter and his wife, the district attorney called mental illness a “terrible thing” and said that “many families like ours have endured years of anxious-ridden concern for our affected loved one.” He called on elected leaders to increase funding for mental health treatment.

This is not the first time that an official in the state of Oklahoma has been stabbed by one of their grown children.

In 2015, state Labor Commissioner Mark Costello was stabbed and killed by his adult son Christian Costello at a restaurant parking lot. In 2019, Tulsa District Judge Sharon Holmes was wounded after her adult daughter Adrienne Smith stabbed her at their home.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.