Jennifer Diane Dunn, a 43-year-old female, was a mother, daughter, sister, and friend known for her passionate love for her family and her playful spirit. Her life was cut short on November 29, 2019, in an Oklahoma City hotel room. On that day, a bail bondsman named Howard Latrell Barnett entered the hotel room at 1818 S Meridian Avenue to apprehend a wanted man, Todd Willis.
During an altercation that ensued between Barnett and Willis, Barnett's firearm discharged. Both Jennifer Dunn and Todd Willis were struck by gunfire. Tragically, Jennifer succumbed to her injuries after being transported to a local hospital. Willis was also injured and was taken into police custody at the hospital for his outstanding warrants.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Howard Latrell Barnett was charged with first-degree manslaughter in 2020. However, the legal proceedings took a significant turn in 2023 when the charges against him were dropped. The Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office concluded that Barnett had acted in self-defense during the confrontation with Willis, stating that he was legally present in the hotel room and was not engaged in unlawful activity when he was attacked. This decision was met with deep disappointment and frustration from Jennifer Dunn's family, who had been seeking justice for her death.
