Oklahoma man charged with murder after 2 killed in explosion at
marijuana extraction facility
[September 01, 2026]
BY ANNA WILDER
An Oklahoma
man has been charged with murder following a large explosion at a
marijuana extraction facility that killed two of his employees and
damaged surrounding businesses, prosecutors said Monday.
Ryan Bassham, 35, turned himself in this weekend after being charged
with two counts of first-degree murder in Thursday’s blast at Solos
Extracts near Tulsa, authorities said. The explosion around 1 a.m.
partially tore the roof from a building, crumpled doors and scattered
debris around an industrial park. |
In this image taken from video provided by KFOR, authorities work the
scene of a building explosion in Sand Springs, Okla., Thursday, Aug. 27,
2026. (KFOR via AP) |
|
Bassham was booked into a Tulsa jail and released after posting
a $2 million bond. Court records did not list an attorney for
Bassham, and phone numbers for him and the business could not
immediately be found. The Associated Press left a message with a
law firm that previously represented Bassham.
The two victims, Michael Newman and Stephen Scott, both worked
for Bassham, said Adam Jones, spokesman for the Tulsa County
district attorney's office. He said prosecutors believe the
employees were unlawfully manufacturing hazardous chemicals that
wound up creating an explosion.
A fire marshal told authorities the business was seeking an
updated marijuana license and narcotics registration, according
to court records. Medical marijuana is legal in Oklahoma.
According to court documents, Newman told a paramedic on the way
to the hospital that the area had not been well ventilated and
that the explosion happened after he unplugged something. He was
conscious when paramedics arrived but later died at the
hospital.
No one else was harmed in the explosion, but multiple nearby
businesses were damaged, authorities said.
According to court records, investigators believe Bassham bought
Solos Extracts earlier this year. A fire marshal who inspected
the facility in January found an outdated fire suppression
system and equipment commonly used in marijuana manufacturing.
The marshal returned to the facility after the explosion and
found large amounts of liquid propane and other hazardous
material that were not there in January, according to court
records.
The owner of a neighboring marijuana manufacturing business told
police he spoke with Bassham earlier this year after noticing
high levels of carbon dioxide on a building sensor. He described
being lightheaded when he walked into the building.
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