In the summer of 2021, the vibrant life of Nathan Isaiah Hull, a 38-year-old musician, artist, and DJ, was tragically cut short in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Known affectionately by friends and family as Nate, he was a beloved figure in the local music scene, not only for his talent but for his protective and good-natured spirit. On the night of July 30th, while working as a bouncer and DJ at DD's Double Shots, a bar near 11th Street and South Sheridan, Nathan's protective instincts led
him into a fatal confrontation.
Patrons had alerted Nathan to a man in the parking lot who appeared to be breaking into cars. Acting on this information, he went outside to intervene. The individual he confronted was 18-year-old Chris Bratton. The encounter escalated quickly, and Bratton, armed with a gun, shot Nathan. The musician and father died in the parking lot of the establishment where he worked to entertain and protect its patrons. The senseless act of violence sent ripples of shock and grief through the Tulsa community, particularly among his family, friends, and the many who knew him through his music.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, witnesses played a crucial role. Several people who saw the events unfold followed Bratton to a nearby QuikTrip and alerted the authorities. Their quick thinking led to the swift arrest of the suspect. Chris Bratton was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, shooting with intent to kill, and firearms violations. The legal process that followed brought some measure of closure to Nathan's loved ones.
In April 2023, Chris Bratton pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder. Two months later, in June 2023, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the killing of Nathan Hull. For those who mourned Nathan, the sentencing marked the end of a painful legal chapter, though it could never replace the man they had lost. A mural was later painted at DD's Double Shots as a tribute to the fallen local hero, a lasting reminder of the man who lost his life while protecting others.
