OSBI Press Release

Clinton, OK – On March 4, 2025, the Clinton Police Department requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to assist in a homicide investigation.

Just before 12:30 a.m., officers responded to a shots fired call at an apartment complex near South 28th Street and West Hayes Avenue in Clinton. When officers arrived on scene, they were told the victim, identified as 32-year-old Jesse Mendoza, was transported to a local hospital after suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Mendoza later passed away from his injuries.

During the investigation, OSBI special agents identified the suspect as 28-year-old Joseph Tyler Layton. A felony arrest warrant was issued for Layton by the Custer County District Court. On March 4, around 6:00 p.m., troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol located Layton in Clinton and initiated a traffic stop. The encounter culminated in an officer-involved shooting. Investigation at the scene revealed Layton was in possession of a handgun. Troopers, along with medical personnel, provided life-saving measures, however Layton was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no other injuries during the incident.

The OSBI will continue to investigate the homicide of Mendoza and the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety will investigate the officer-involved shooting.

The OSBI would like to thank OHP and the Clinton Police Department for their assistance with this case.

We are "Protecting Oklahoma one Partnership at a time."