Demetrius “Mimi” Miller, a 42-year-old man from Ponca City, Oklahoma, died on May 29, 2026, after he was shot inside or near a home in the 500 block of North Sunset Street. Police were called around 1:30 a.m. for a report of a person suffering from a gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they found Miller injured, and he was taken to Integris Ponca City, where he later died from his injuries.
The shooting appears to have unfolded during a confrontation inside the home.
According to details reported from court documents, Miller and an 18-year-old got into a fight in the living room before the teenager allegedly shot him. After being wounded, Miller collapsed in the front yard. The accused shooter reportedly told investigators that Miller had gotten into a fight with his aunt, that he pulled out a gun and told Miller to leave, and that Miller allegedly charged at him before the shooting. Miller’s family pushed back publicly by demanding answers and justice, with relatives saying there were cameras in the house and urging investigators to review them.
Miller was remembered by family and community members as a well-known figure in Ponca City, especially in wrestling. He was described as a three-time state wrestling champion at Ponca City High School and someone who later coached at a local recreation center. Family members said he was known as “Mimi,” a father of five sons, and someone whose presence was deeply felt by the people around him. His parents publicly described their grief and frustration, saying the shooting should not have happened and calling for justice in the case.
An arrest was made the same day. Court records identify the suspect as Zavion Jarail Gates, 18, of Tulsa. He was arrested after Osage County authorities notified Ponca City police that he was at a residence in McCord. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office later released information about the arrest, and Gates was booked into the Kay County Detention Center. His bond was set at $1 million.
The case was filed in Kay County District Court as State of Oklahoma v. Gates, Zavion Jarail. Court records show Gates was charged with second-degree murder, with an alternative second-degree murder count also listed. Additional charges listed in the case include possession of a firearm after delinquent adjudication and altering a firearm serial number. The case was still in its early court stages in June 2026, with an initial appearance scheduled for June 12, and no trial or conviction had been reported in the available online records.
