Topline: Brandon Morrissette was convicted of killing RJ Long on the Rose State College campus after wrongly believing the student was having an affair with his wife.
Published: August 31, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Left: Brandon Morrissette's mugshot. (via Oklahoma County DA's Office) Inset: RJ Long Jr. (via Facebook)
MIDWEST CITY, OK — A jury has found Brandon Morrissette guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal 2023 shooting of 20-year-old RJ Long, a student at Rose State College in Oklahoma.
The conviction comes more than two years after Morrissette, 32, opened fire on Long outside the campus Humanities building—an act prosecutors say was fueled by a belief that Long was having an affair with Morrissette’s wife, according to KWTV.
According to Midwest City police, Morrissette’s wife told investigators that Long was simply a friend and classmate. Witnesses recounted that Long had been walking with her when Morrissette confronted them, pulled out a gun, and shot Long seven times. He died at the scene.
Several witnesses also told police that Long appeared to be trying to protect her in the final moments of his life.
Jurors returned guilty verdicts Thursday after a four-day trial. They recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction, and the maximum sentence—one year—for possession of a firearm on school grounds. Formal sentencing is set for October 14, 2025.
RJ Long, a Marine reservist and active church member, had left a deep impression on his community. Nearly a year after his death, friends, classmates, and relatives gathered on campus to honor his memory. His mother, Kelly Long, described him as “a kind man, full of love and grounded by faith,” someone who lived with intention and “put others’ needs before his own.”
“I know beyond a shadow of a doubt where he is and he’s in heaven,” she told KFOR during a memorial event in 2024. “He was on the go, living his life to the fullest.”
After the verdict, she offered a powerful expression of forgiveness and grace.
“I forgave him the moment I heard what happened, because I won’t let anything or anybody cause my heart to become bitter for any reason,” she said. “Because he’s not worth it.”
Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna commended the work of the Midwest City Police Department and her prosecution team in a statement following the conviction. “We are grateful to the jurors for their time and thoughtful consideration of the facts,” she said. “Justice has been served.”
Attorneys for Morrissette indicated they would appeal. “We’re very disappointed,” defense attorney David Smith told reporters. “We had hoped for much better. The young man is dead, another young man’s life is wasted.”
Morrissette also faces separate, unrelated charges involving child pornography. That case remains pending.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Rose State Shooter Found Guilty After Killing Man He Thought Was Wife’s Lover
Brandon Morrissette was convicted of killing RJ Long on the Rose State College campus after wrongly believing the student was having an affair with his wife.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 31, 2025 8:00 am ET
Left: Brandon Morrissette's mugshot. (via Oklahoma County DA's Office) Inset: RJ Long Jr. (via Facebook)
MIDWEST CITY, OK — A jury has found Brandon Morrissette guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal 2023 shooting of 20-year-old RJ Long, a student at Rose State College in Oklahoma.
The conviction comes more than two years after Morrissette, 32, opened fire on Long outside the campus Humanities building—an act prosecutors say was fueled by a belief that Long was having an affair with Morrissette’s wife, according to KWTV.
According to Midwest City police, Morrissette’s wife told investigators that Long was simply a friend and classmate. Witnesses recounted that Long had been walking with her when Morrissette confronted them, pulled out a gun, and shot Long seven times. He died at the scene.
Several witnesses also told police that Long appeared to be trying to protect her in the final moments of his life.
Jurors returned guilty verdicts Thursday after a four-day trial. They recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction, and the maximum sentence—one year—for possession of a firearm on school grounds. Formal sentencing is set for October 14, 2025.
RJ Long, a Marine reservist and active church member, had left a deep impression on his community. Nearly a year after his death, friends, classmates, and relatives gathered on campus to honor his memory. His mother, Kelly Long, described him as “a kind man, full of love and grounded by faith,” someone who lived with intention and “put others’ needs before his own.”
“I know beyond a shadow of a doubt where he is and he’s in heaven,” she told KFOR during a memorial event in 2024. “He was on the go, living his life to the fullest.”
After the verdict, she offered a powerful expression of forgiveness and grace.
“I forgave him the moment I heard what happened, because I won’t let anything or anybody cause my heart to become bitter for any reason,” she said. “Because he’s not worth it.”
Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna commended the work of the Midwest City Police Department and her prosecution team in a statement following the conviction. “We are grateful to the jurors for their time and thoughtful consideration of the facts,” she said. “Justice has been served.”
Attorneys for Morrissette indicated they would appeal. “We’re very disappointed,” defense attorney David Smith told reporters. “We had hoped for much better. The young man is dead, another young man’s life is wasted.”
Morrissette also faces separate, unrelated charges involving child pornography. That case remains pending.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Rose State Shooter Found Guilty After Killing Man He Thought Was Wife’s Lover
Brandon Morrissette was convicted of killing RJ Long on the Rose State College campus after wrongly believing the student was having an affair with his wife.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 31, 2025 8:00 am ET
Left: Brandon Morrissette's mugshot. (via Oklahoma County DA's Office) Inset: RJ Long Jr. (via Facebook)
MIDWEST CITY, OK — A jury has found Brandon Morrissette guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal 2023 shooting of 20-year-old RJ Long, a student at Rose State College in Oklahoma.
The conviction comes more than two years after Morrissette, 32, opened fire on Long outside the campus Humanities building—an act prosecutors say was fueled by a belief that Long was having an affair with Morrissette’s wife, according to KWTV.
According to Midwest City police, Morrissette’s wife told investigators that Long was simply a friend and classmate. Witnesses recounted that Long had been walking with her when Morrissette confronted them, pulled out a gun, and shot Long seven times. He died at the scene.
Several witnesses also told police that Long appeared to be trying to protect her in the final moments of his life.
Jurors returned guilty verdicts Thursday after a four-day trial. They recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction, and the maximum sentence—one year—for possession of a firearm on school grounds. Formal sentencing is set for October 14, 2025.
RJ Long, a Marine reservist and active church member, had left a deep impression on his community. Nearly a year after his death, friends, classmates, and relatives gathered on campus to honor his memory. His mother, Kelly Long, described him as “a kind man, full of love and grounded by faith,” someone who lived with intention and “put others’ needs before his own.”
“I know beyond a shadow of a doubt where he is and he’s in heaven,” she told KFOR during a memorial event in 2024. “He was on the go, living his life to the fullest.”
After the verdict, she offered a powerful expression of forgiveness and grace.
“I forgave him the moment I heard what happened, because I won’t let anything or anybody cause my heart to become bitter for any reason,” she said. “Because he’s not worth it.”
Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna commended the work of the Midwest City Police Department and her prosecution team in a statement following the conviction. “We are grateful to the jurors for their time and thoughtful consideration of the facts,” she said. “Justice has been served.”
Attorneys for Morrissette indicated they would appeal. “We’re very disappointed,” defense attorney David Smith told reporters. “We had hoped for much better. The young man is dead, another young man’s life is wasted.”
Morrissette also faces separate, unrelated charges involving child pornography. That case remains pending.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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