In the quiet neighborhood of Gilcrease Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the life of Kim Edwin Hayes, a 26-year-old Black man, was cut short on the evening of January 5, 2020. Hayes was discovered outside his residence on West Virgin Street, having been fatally shot. His death marked the city's second homicide of the year, sending ripples of concern through the community.
Remembered as a devoted father to his young daughter, as well as a loving son and friend, Hayes was known for his encouraging nature and ambition to build a future for his family.
The initial days of the investigation into Hayes's death saw a swift development. On January 8, 2020, Tulsa police apprehended 28-year-old Charles Boaz near the Tulsa Hills shopping center in connection with the shooting. While a motive for the incident was not immediately disclosed by authorities, Boaz was subsequently charged with the murder of Kim Hayes. This arrest marked a significant step forward in the case, offering a semblance of progress to a grieving family and a concerned public.
Several months later, the investigation yielded a second arrest. In October 2020, Lawrence Mitchell was taken into custody for his alleged involvement in Hayes's death and was booked into the Tulsa County Jail. The apprehension of a second suspect brought further developments to a case that had deeply affected those who knew Kim Hayes and the wider Tulsa community. The legal proceedings against both individuals charged in connection with his death are ongoing.
