In the light of a September afternoon, a life that had recently taken a turn for the better was abruptly cut short on the streets of Oklahoma City. Anthony Penn, a 29-year-old African-American man, was walking in the 8900 block of N. Hudson Avenue on September 13, 2016, on his way to visit a family friend. It was then that he was fatally shot in broad daylight, his body left in the middle of the street.
His death marked the 56th homicide in the city that year, a grim statistic that now included a man who, by all accounts, was actively trying to leave a troubled past behind.
The news of Penn's death sent shockwaves of grief through his family, who had watched him make significant positive changes in his life. After spending a number of years involved in gang activity, Penn had made a conscious decision to change his path. He had found faith and, following his release from prison just five months prior, had been working diligently to build a new life. His mother, Davietta Penn, spoke of his determination to stay out of trouble and the positive strides he was making, making his sudden and violent death all the more devastating for his loved ones.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Oklahoma City police investigators began their work, seeking to piece together the events that led to Penn's murder. While a clear motive was not immediately established by law enforcement, witnesses to the shooting suggested that the incident may have been the culmination of an ongoing feud. The police urged the community to come forward with any information that could help them identify the person or persons responsible for cutting Anthony Penn's journey of redemption tragically short.
Despite the initial investigation and the pleas for public assistance, there have been no publicly announced arrests in connection with the murder of Anthony Penn. The case, like many others, remains a painful open wound for his family and the community. The search for justice for the man who was striving to redefine his life continues, his story a somber reminder of the lasting impact of street violence.
