A 95-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a maintenance worker at a Lafayette assisted living facility told police he shot the man because he stole $200 from his wallet, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit. 

Okey Payne was taken into custody Wednesday morning after shooting Ricardo Medina-Rojas, 40, in the lobby at Legacy at Lafayette (225 Wanaka Parkway). 

Police: 95-year-old man at Lafayette assisted living facility killed employee who owed him money

According to the arrest affidavit, the Lafayette Police Department said Payne allegedly admitted to shooting Medina-Rojas while getting out of the patrol unit at the police station.

During the hours spent interviewing Payne, officers described him as clear headed and lucid.

Throughout the interview, Payne told officers that employees at the facility had been stealing from him since October 2019, and most recently, Payne alleged that Medina-Rojas stole two $100 bills from his wallet on Monday. 

Payne also alleged that employees were trying to kill and drug him after he said he woke up with needle marks in his big toe.

He also told officers that he believes his ex-wife is working with employees to steal his money, according to the affidavit.

During the interview, Payne apologized to officers for his actions, but said “he’s glad the ‘thievery’ will stop.”

On Wednesday, Payne told officers he woke up about 3 a.m., got dressed and walked to the lobby and waited for Medina-Rojas to arrive for his shift.

After Medina-Roja signed in and completed his morning check-in, Payne stood up and asked him “Where’s my $200?” according to the affidavit. 

Payne told officers that Medina-Roja “mumbled something” to him before he raised a .45 caliber gun — used in World War I by his father — and shot the victim in the head. 

Payne removed the magazine from the gun that was given to him by his father 72 years ago and placed it on a table. 

According to the affidavit, Legacy staff members earlier took a .22 caliber rifle and Beretta handgun from Payne because it’s a gun-free facility and placed them in separate storage facilities in Boulder.

Payne’s alleged claims have been investigated by the Lafayette Police Department and Adult Protective Services and have been unconfirmed. 

Payne is scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of the 20th Judicial Court on Friday morning, according to online court records.