Oklahoma man charged with murder after two die in marijuana facility blast

Ryan Bassham, 35, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following a devastating explosion at the marijuana extraction facility he owned. The blast, which occurred around 1am Thursday, claimed the lives of two of Bassham's employees, Michael Newman and Stephen Scott, and caused significant damage to nearby businesses. Bassham turned himself in over the weekend and was released after posting a $2 million bond, though no attorney has been publicly identified for him.

The explosion partially tore the roof off a building, crumpled doors, and scattered debris across an industrial park in Tulsa. Prosecutors allege that Bassham and the employees were unlawfully manufacturing hazardous chemicals at the facility, leading to the catastrophic explosion. A fire marshal stated that the business was seeking an updated marijuana license and narcotics registration, indicating a potential violation of regulations.

One of the victims, Michael Newman, told paramedics that the area had poor ventilation and that the explosion occurred after he unplugged something. He was conscious when paramedics arrived but later died at the hospital. According to court documents, Newman's statements suggest that the explosion could have been prevented with proper ventilation.

Another neighboring business owner reported noticing high levels of carbon dioxide in Bassham's facility earlier this year, describing feeling lightheaded upon entering the building.