In the early hours of a Saturday morning in Muskogee, Oklahoma, a dispute turned deadly, leaving a family heartbroken and a community in search of answers. On March 28, 2026, 38-year-old Elio Hernandez was shot and killed outside a residence near East Side Boulevard and Gibson Street. The incident unfolded around 4 a.m. when officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area. Upon arrival, they discovered Hernandez in the front yard with a gunshot wound.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.
Investigators determined that the shooting was preceded by an altercation inside the house between Hernandez and another individual. The suspect reportedly left the residence after the fight, only to return a short time later and shoot Hernandez, who was then outside with several other people. The assailant fled the scene before police arrived, sparking a manhunt. Family and friends described Elio Hernandez as a loving, kind, and hardworking person whose life was tragically cut short. A GoFundMe was established to help with funeral expenses and to transport his body to his native Honduras for a final farewell.
The Muskogee Police Department quickly identified 42-year-old Jesus Garcia as the suspect in the homicide and warned the public that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The investigation to locate Garcia extended beyond Oklahoma, and on April 9, 2026, he was apprehended by law enforcement near Del Rio, Texas. While an arrest has been made, authorities have stated that the homicide investigation remains active and ongoing as they continue to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting.
