In the early hours of Sunday, August 20, 2023, a house party in West Tulsa attended by over 100 teenagers turned into a scene of tragedy. Fifteen-year-old Joshua Saldivar Hernandez, a Hispanic male, was fatally shot and another 16-year-old was wounded in the arm. The violence erupted shortly before 1:00 a.m. near the 2000 block of W. Archer, where a fight between two girls escalated dramatically when at least one person began shooting into the crowd of fleeing partygoers.
Joshua, a
student at East Central High School, was reportedly trying to leave the chaotic scene with friends when he was struck by a bullet in the back. He was found deceased on the street by responding Tulsa Police officers. His family described him as a hardworking and kind young man who loved to dance and play soccer. He often took on labor jobs to help support his family and was remembered for being polite and respectful to everyone. His mother, Maria Guadalupe Hernandez, expressed her profound grief and urged other parents to be mindful of their children's friendships.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Tulsa Police Department's Homicide Division launched an investigation. Despite the large number of potential witnesses present at the party, authorities have not yet publicly identified any suspects, and no arrests have been made in connection with Joshua's death. The police have appealed to the public for any information, photos, or videos that might help identify the person or persons responsible for the shooting. The Hispanic community in Tulsa has joined Joshua's grieving family in calling for justice.
