In the early hours of a Saturday morning, the life of 18-year-old Gerardo Junior Sandoval, a Hispanic male, was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire. The incident, which unfolded just after midnight on October 12, 2024, took place at Patty's Event Center in southwest Oklahoma City, where a Halloween celebration was underway. An argument between Sandoval and a group of individuals escalated into a mass shooting, resulting in his death and injuries to 14 other people.
The violence erupted both inside and outside the venue, leaving a scene of chaos and shock.
Friends and family remember Gerardo, affectionately known as 'Junior,' for his funny and sweet soul, and a bright smile that could light up any room. Described as kind, gentle, and caring, he had a knack for making people feel at ease and was known for his sense of humor, often being the class clown. He was a talented basketball player and also had a passion for boxing. At home, he took on the role of the man of the house, deeply devoted to his mother. His sudden and violent death left his family and the wider community in a state of profound grief and disbelief.
In the wake of the shooting, the Oklahoma City Police Department launched an intensive investigation. Their efforts led to the arrests of three suspects in connection with the deadly event. Nineteen-year-old Jaziel Ramos and 20-year-old Thomas Santiago were taken into custody and are facing complaints of First-Degree Murder. A third individual, 20-year-old Abraham Violante, was also arrested and is facing multiple complaints of assault with a deadly weapon. Police believe there were multiple shooters involved in the incident, which has been recorded as the 68th homicide of 2024 in Oklahoma City. The investigation has revealed that Jaziel Ramos was allegedly seen pointing a pistol at Sandoval just outside the front door of the event center before the fatal shots were fired.
