In the heart of the Del City community, a tragic event unfolded that claimed the life of Tony Donnell Ganther, a 43-year-old male. On a Saturday afternoon, November 9, 2024, police responded to a call at Rag City Customs, Ganther's own auto body shop located in the 3200 block of Delwood Drive. There, they discovered Ganther with a fatal gunshot wound; he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The news of his death sent ripples through the Oklahoma City lowrider community, where Ganther
was a well-respected and active member. Many remembered him as a generous person who was always willing to help others and who had a significant impact on the local car culture. In the days following his death, a memorial of candles, balloons, and flowers grew outside his shop, a testament to the lives he had touched. The community organized a memorial cruise to honor his memory.
Initially, the investigation into Ganther's death was met with few leads, and police had not identified any suspects. However, the Del City Police Department, through a multi-state investigation that stretched into Kansas, was able to identify a suspect. Weeks of reviewing surveillance footage, executing search warrants, and following leads culminated in the arrest of 43-year-old Derek Jordan for the murder of Tony Ganther.
Investigators believe the motive for the killing was robbery. It is alleged that Jordan rented a U-Haul to disguise himself from Ganther, who would have recognized his personal vehicle. After the shooting, Jordan allegedly stole Ganther's phone, which helped police track his movements. Jordan, who has an extensive criminal history including convictions for rape and kidnapping, was arrested at the Muskogee County Jail on a separate warrant before being charged with Ganther's murder. While an arrest has been made, police believe there may be other witnesses with information and have encouraged them to come forward.
