In the late hours of a Monday evening in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the life of 28-year-old Deranta Ponder, a Black male, was tragically cut short. On September 27, 2016, in the parking lot of the Fontana Shopping Center outside Magoo's Pool Hall, a dispute escalated into fatal violence.
An altercation had broken out among several men in the parking lot. During this confrontation, a gunshot rang out, and Ponder sustained a critical wound to his groin.
The injury, which reportedly struck his femoral artery, proved to be fatal. Immediately following the shooting, the other individuals involved in the fight fled the scene in a car, disappearing into the night.
Law enforcement officials arrived to a chaotic scene and began their investigation. They acknowledged that there was limited information about the events leading up to the shooting but were hopeful that a review of surveillance footage would provide more details and help identify those responsible for Ponder's death. However, despite their efforts, there have been no subsequent public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the case. The death of Deranta Ponder remains an unsolved homicide, leaving his family and community searching for answers and justice.
