Do you know who killed 19 year old Mario Valentino Brooks in 1994? On a Mother's Day evening, May 8th, 1994, 19-year-old Mario Valentino Brooks, known to his loved ones as Tino, left his home in Duncan, Oklahoma, after saying goodbye to his mother. He and his older brother, Corey, were headed to the Family Barbecue Social Club, located just outside of Tatums. The night, however, would take a tragic and violent turn.
A fight erupted at the club, and in the ensuing chaos, a gun was fired into the crowd.
In the midst of the melee, Mario was struck by a bullet in the right side of his abdomen. While four other individuals sustained injuries, his wound proved to be fatal. Corey, along with friends, desperately rushed Mario to Healdton Hospital, with his brother administering CPR throughout the journey. Despite their efforts, Mario succumbed to his injury at the hospital. He was a loving father, son, and brother, born on November 20th, 1974. A popular and celebrated athlete at Duncan High School, he was known for his love of pranks and making people laugh.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, investigators identified three male suspects, ranging in age from 21 to 24. However, no charges were ever filed in connection with Mario's murder. Law enforcement officials have stated that a lack of cooperation from witnesses present at the social club that night significantly hampered the investigation. Over the years, the case grew cold. A glimmer of hope for a breakthrough emerged in 2019 when a new tip was received, but it has yet to lead to any arrests. To this day, the murder of Mario Brooks remains unsolved, and his family continues to await justice.
