Police investigating shooting death of ex-Oklahoma state senator

Police are investigating the shooting death of former Oklahoma state Sen. Jonathan Nichols (R). 

Nichols is the second state legislator to be found dead this week, as former Arkansas state Sen. Linda Collins-Smith (R) was also found dead from a gunshot wound. 

{mosads}Police in Norman, Okla., responded to a report of a person with a gunshot wound on Wednesday night, according to a statement. When they arrived at a residence, they found Nichols, 53, dead, officers said. 

Investigators are working with Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the exact cause of his death and the case is remaining under investigation by Norman Police.

Nichols had been serving as a policy adviser to Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall (R) when he died, according to The Oklahoman. 

“I am shocked and incredibly saddened to learn that Jonathan has passed away,” McCall told the Oklahoma newspaper in a statement. “He was a valuable member of my staff and a friend. Jonathan was a very proud man, but he served humbly.”