In the late hours of May 11, 2025, a quiet evening in an Oklahoma City apartment complex was shattered by violence, leaving a young father dead and a family devastated. Thomas Willard Wade III, a 24-year-old White/Caucasian male, was fatally shot at his residence in the 3100 block of North Portland Avenue. The incident unfolded at approximately 11:25 p.m. when Oklahoma City Police Department patrol officers responded to a report of gunfire.
Upon their arrival, they discovered Wade's body inside his apartment.
According to initial police investigations, two men approached Wade's apartment and, after he opened the door, they forced their way inside. Wade was shot multiple times and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Present in the apartment at the time of the shooting were a woman and two young children, who were unharmed during the tragic event. Wade's father later confirmed that the children, aged 2 and 4, were his son's. He described his son as a devoted father with a good heart.
The shooting marked the 22nd homicide in Oklahoma City for the year 2025. The apartment complex where the incident occurred had a known history of criminal activity, with residents reporting previous assaults and burglaries. Concerns had been raised by some neighbors about the effectiveness of the security measures in place.
As of the initial reports, no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting, and the two suspects remained at large. The Oklahoma City Police Department's homicide unit is actively investigating the case and has appealed to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of those responsible. Thomas Wade was remembered in his obituary as a beloved son with a kind and giving heart, who was raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was described as a dedicated and hardworking individual who cherished spending time with his family, especially his two children who were the light of his life.
