In the quiet morning hours of July 20, 2025, the life of 30-year-old Jonni Salazar was tragically cut short in what should have been the safety of her own vehicle. Bethany police responded to a 9-1-1 call shortly after 8 a.m. at the Western Oaks Apartment Complex. Upon their arrival, they made a grim discovery; Salazar was found deceased in her car, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
The initial investigation quickly pointed towards a domestic violence situation that had escalated to a devastating conclusion.
The focus of the investigation soon centered on Alex Berry, age 32, who was identified as Salazar's former boyfriend and the father of her two children. Evidence gathered at the scene, along with witness interviews, led law enforcement to believe that Berry was the individual responsible for Salazar's death. The events that unfolded after the shooting involved a tense standoff with police. Berry had barricaded himself inside an apartment at the same complex where Salazar's body was found. After some time, law enforcement was able to make entry into the residence where they found Berry with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and was expected to recover from his injuries.
Further investigation into the history between Jonni Salazar and Alex Berry revealed a pattern of behavior that tragically foreshadowed the fatal encounter. Court records indicated that Salazar had sought legal protection from Berry on previous occasions. In the weeks leading up to her death, a court had granted an emergency protective order against Berry, legally prohibiting him from having any contact with her. Additionally, Berry had a recent arrest for stalking Salazar, demonstrating a clear and present danger. Following his release from the hospital, Berry was arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
In the aftermath of the tragic event, the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office formally charged Alex Berry with Murder in the First Degree and Violation of a Protective Order. His bond was set at $10 million, and he remains in custody. The District Attorney's office highlighted the devastating impact of domestic violence on the community and particularly on Salazar's children, who were left without their mother in such a traumatic manner. The case against Berry will proceed through the legal system, while a family and community are left to mourn the loss of Jonni Salazar.
