UPDATE: 10:50 a.m. – Christian Costello had previous run-ins with the law. In 2012, Christian Costello pleaded guilty in Oklahoma County District Court to one count of assault and battery, driving while under the influence of a drug and resisting arrest. He has been on probation since his November 2012 plea agreement to the misdemeanor assault. Court records show his probation will end this November.
Authorities were dispatched to a car wreck about 10:15 p.m., March 16, 2012 in northwest Edmond. An Oklahoma County Sheriff’s deputy met with the vehicle’s owner, Christian Costello, at the scene. The deputy reported Christian Costello was acting incoherent and talking to himself. When authorities attempted to place him in custody, Christian Costello kicked the deputy in the chest. More recently, Christian Costello was charged in October with one count of outraging public decency in an indecent exposure incident at a school. The Village police responded about 4:10 p.m. Oct. 3 to St. Eugene’s Catholic School after a woman reported a man exposing himself. Police reported Christian Costello was found outside wearing pajama pants and one shoe. Police also stated he was chewing on bird feathers and what appeared to be dandelions and other weeds.
Witnesses told police he exposed himself in the school’s parking lot and in front of a window of the school. He was arrested on an indecent exposure complaint that same day. The case is still pending.
Court documents reveal Christian Costello was treated for mental illness.
In 2012, Christian Costello pleaded guilty in Oklahoma County District Court to one count of assault and battery, driving while under the influence of a drug and resisting arrest.
During the sentencing, he told a judge he was taking mood stabilizers. He told the judge the medication didn’t affect his judgment.
He also stated he was previously confined for 90 days to be treated for mental illness. He told the judge he spent time at an Oklahoma City psychiatric hospital and another mental health facility in Wyoming, court records show.
He has been on probation since his November 2012 plea agreement to the misdemeanor assault. Court records show his probation will end this November.
Balderrama said at least two witnesses played a role in detaining the suspect, and a vehicle played a role in it.
Balderrama said he had little information on the knife used in the attack.
“He had it on his person. We don’t know where he got it from. I don’t know what type of knife it was,” he said.
Balderrama also said police did not know how the suspect got to the restaurant.
Sunday: State Labor Commissioner Mark Costello was stabbed to death Sunday night at a northwest Oklahoma City restaurant in what sources say was an attempted reconciliation gone bad with his son.
Costello’s son, Christian Costello, 26, was taken into police custody and was being questioned by detectives late Sunday. Police confirmed Christian was the son of Mark Costello, who also had two other sons and two daughters.
Sources told The Oklahoman that Christian requested the meeting at the restaurant with Mark Costello and his wife, Cathy.
Lt. Alex Edwards said the stabbing took place shortly after 6:30 p.m. at the Braum’s at 11224 N May Ave. Police were told by witnesses the two men got into a heated argument that escalated into violence as the killer stabbed the victim with a knife.
Mark Costello was stabbed again in the parking lot, and police say it was at this time others at the restaurant restrained the killer while awaiting for police to arrive. Witnesses reported the killer remained agitated and tried to go after the victim again. One of the customers punched the killer to stop the attack.
Police arrived within four minutes and found Mark Costello dying in a car in the parking lot. They attempted CPR and wound compression, but Costello was pronounced dead upon arrival at OU Medical Center. Police reported Costello was stabbed multiple times in the neck and head.
Christian Costello, of Oklahoma City, was arrested following the stabbing incident.
Mark Costello, 59, was first elected Labor Commissioner in 2010 and again in 2014. Sources told The Oklahoman his wife was at the hospital with him when he was declared dead.
Costello’s office issued a statement about his death late Sunday night.
Condolences were already being issued within two hours of Costello’s death.
Contributing: Staff Writers Graham Lee Brewer, Dave Cathey, Kyle Schwab and Nolan Clay.