ANADARKO — A Carnegie man accused of shooting a Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officer during an October 2021 standoff in Caddo County has, again, been declared incompetent to stand trial.
On Thursday, Caddo County District Judge David A. Stephens declared Taaron Jay Burcum, 31, of Carnegie, incompetent to stand trial for felony counts of shooting with intent to kill and possession of a firearm while on probation, records indicate. The shooting charge is punishable by up to life in prison.
Stephens had declared Burcum competent following a review hearing on Feb. 29. After receiving an application for determination of competency on March 20, Stephens ordered Burcum be transported to the Vinita mental health facility to undergo an evaluation.
According to the second order of competency, Burcum was determined to be unable to consult with his attorney and can’t rationally assist in his defense. He is required to undergo treatment and there is reason to believe he could be reestablished as competent in the future, the order states.
Burcum was charged with the felonies on Oct. 25, 2021.
Carnegie police were called Oct. 23, 2021, to a reported stabbing at 515 E. Cedar, according to the probable cause affidavit. They cancelled when no contact was made with anyone. A short time later they were called back to the home on a possible shooting.
The Carnegie officers were joined by Caddo County Sheriff’s Deputies and BIA officers to provide lethal coverage, according to the affidavit. As they approached a camper at the home, a person inside told them to come back with a warrant.
When law enforcement continued to move forward, a gunshot rang from a window and struck an unidentified BIA officer, the affidavit states. Officers took cover and the Caddo County Special Response Team was called in leading to a several-hour standoff.
Burcum was taken into custody from inside the trailer, the affidavit states. A loaded .22-caliber rifle with one spent casing also was found inside the trailer.
At the time of the incident, Burcum had been out of prison on probation for less than a month for September 2022 Caddo County convictions for second-degree burglary, unauthorized use of a vehicle and eluding police.
Burcum was first ordered into inpatient mental health treatment in April 2022, records indicate.
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