In the early morning hours of Sunday, January 11, 2026, a confrontation outside a downtown Oklahoma City hotel turned fatal, claiming the life of 22-year-old Sunjun July, a Black male. The incident, which marked the city's second homicide of the year, unfolded at the Wyndham Grand Hotel near Broadway and Sheridan. July, who was working as a security guard at the hotel, was found by responding officers in the parking lot with a gunshot wound just before 2:40 a.m.
He was immediately transported to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and passed away. Another hotel employee was also injured during the altercation, having been pistol-whipped, but was later treated and released from the hospital.
The tragic events began when a group of juveniles entered the hotel lobby and were asked to leave by the security staff. The situation escalated and moved to the parking lot, where a physical altercation broke out between at least one of the juveniles and the two hotel employees. It was during this struggle that the suspect allegedly drew a handgun and fired, striking July.
An arrest was made swiftly in connection with the deadly shooting. The suspect was identified as 16-year-old Warren Colbert. Investigators believe that in the course of the chaotic encounter, Colbert not only shot July and assaulted his coworker, but also accidentally shot himself in the leg. He fled the scene on foot but was located by authorities a short time later and taken into custody. After receiving medical treatment for his self-inflicted wound, Colbert was booked into the Juvenile Detention Center on a complaint of murder.
SunJun Luke July was remembered as a dedicated and spirited individual. A 2021 graduate of Southmoore High School, he was active in wrestling, football, and the school band. After high school, he pursued further education at the Moore Norman Technology Center with the goal of a career in dentistry. He took great pride in his work as a CLEET certified security officer. His personal interests included anime, UFC fighting, and cheering for the New England Patriots, but above all, he cherished the time he spent with his dogs.
