In the early hours of August 10, 2024, Joel Van Hook Rodriguez, a 28-year-old Hispanic male, was found deceased in a second-floor hallway of the Lincoln Inn in northeast Oklahoma City. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a disturbance call at the hotel at approximately 3:10 AM and discovered his body.
The investigation into the homicide led police to release surveillance footage from the hotel.
The footage captured images of four individuals—three men and one woman—who were believed to be connected to the shooting. In the days following the incident, authorities appealed to the public for assistance in identifying the people seen in the video. The family of Joel, already grappling with the profound loss, also pleaded for anyone with information to come forward to help them find closure. For them, the date of his death was tragically significant, as it marked the 13th anniversary of his father's death due to gun violence.
Following tips from the community, the investigation progressed, leading to the arrest of two suspects on August 16, 2024. The individuals taken into custody were 18-year-old Josiah Simons and a 17-year-old whose name was not released due to their age. Despite these arrests, the Oklahoma City Police Department has indicated that the investigation remains active as they continue to search for the other individuals involved in the incident. The family has expressed their gratitude for the public's help and has set up a GoFundMe to assist with funeral expenses.
