On the evening of March 9, 2025, a sense of dread fell over a southeast Oklahoma City apartment complex as gunfire shattered the night's quiet. Responding to a call around 10:45 p.m. near Southeast 46th Street and Sunnylane Road, police discovered a young man suffering from gunshot wounds in the breezeway of a building. The victim was identified as 16-year-old Jashaun Cheatom, a Black male who was a junior and a promising football player at Del City High School.
Emergency crews rushed him to OU Medical Center, but his injuries proved to be fatal.
The investigation into the shooting, which was labeled the city's 12th homicide of 2025, began immediately. Detectives worked to piece together the events that led to the tragic loss of the young athlete's life. While the motive for the shooting remained unclear in the initial days of the investigation, authorities made progress. Within days of the incident, two individuals were taken into custody in connection with Jashaun's death. Both suspects were arrested on complaints of First Degree Murder, though their identities have not been publicly disclosed by law enforcement.
Jashaun's death was one of two separate fatal shootings involving teenagers in Oklahoma City on that same day, though police have stated they do not believe the two cases are connected. The community was left to mourn the violent end of a young life full of potential. A GoFundMe was established by his family to help with funeral expenses, and an outpouring of support followed. Authorities have encouraged anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward as the investigation continues.
