A federal jury in Tulsa has convicted Dylan Ray Alexander, 32, of Bartlesville, on charges of involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Court documents show that Alexander was indicted in February 2025, with a superseding indictment following in March. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on February 2, 2025, Bartlesville Police responded to a 911 call reporting an injured man lying in the street. Officers found Kevin Holden with a gunshot wound to his stomach; he was holding keys and later died at the hospital from his injuries.
Witnesses testified they heard Alexander arguing with another man before hearing a loud “pop.” Alexander was seen fleeing the scene after the shooting and discarded the handgun used. Authorities recovered both the firearm and Alexander the next day.
During questioning by detectives, Alexander stated he acted in self-defense because Holden attacked him with a knife. However, investigators later found a box knife folded and locked closed inside Holden’s jeans.
The prosecution presented evidence that Alexander had prior felony convictions for possessing a controlled substance and assaulting a police officer. Despite six defense eyewitnesses supporting Alexander’s claim of self-defense, the jury unanimously rejected this argument. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter as a lesser included offense of second-degree murder but acquitted of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Alexander is identified as a member of the Cherokee Nation and has been released on bond pending sentencing.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: the FBI, Bartlesville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Nowata County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Dunn and Tara Heign prosecuted the case.
“This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone,” according to information provided by officials. “On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.” More details about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
