Bradley 'Brad' Hale, a 22-year-old male, was fatally shot on January 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during what police describe as a robbery that took a violent turn. The incident unfolded in the 1800 block of South 131 E. Avenue, where Hale had arranged to sell a gun to an individual he had connected with in the neighborhood.
Present with Hale at the time of the deadly encounter was his mother.
According to her account, she believed her son was involved in a marijuana deal and was unaware that he was selling a gun. During the transaction, an attempt was made to rob both Hale and his mother. The situation quickly escalated, and Hale was shot in the torso. Following the shooting, the suspects fled the scene. Hale's mother drove him to Saint Francis Hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The Tulsa Police Department's investigation into Hale's homicide led to the identification of several young suspects. Three teenagers were charged with First Degree Murder and Robbery: 14-year-old Zion Crawford, 16-year-old Edson Bellefluer Jr., and 15-year-old Javione Valentine. A fourth individual, Kol'lea Jones, was also implicated in the case; however, due to his Native American heritage, his case falls under federal jurisdiction.
Authorities were able to apprehend two of the suspects, Crawford and Bellefluer Jr. The search for Javione Valentine continued for some time after the initial arrests. The case initially presented jurisdictional challenges due to the McGirt Supreme Court decision, but it was eventually transferred back to the state level, allowing local prosecutors to file charges against the teenage suspects. The tragic death of Brad Hale and the subsequent arrests of the young individuals involved sent shockwaves through the community.
