On a summer evening in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the life of 25-year-old DeAunte McKnight, a Black male, was cut short by gunfire. The fatal encounter unfolded on July 17, 2019, in the parking lot of a VASA Fitness center located near 51st and Memorial. McKnight was not alone in this violent altercation; 18-year-old Malik Morgan was also involved and subsequently died.
Responding to reports of the shooting, Tulsa police discovered both McKnight and Morgan critically injured at the scene.
They were quickly transported to a local hospital, but their wounds proved to be fatal, and both men succumbed to their injuries. The investigation that followed painted a grim picture of a shootout between the two individuals.
Despite the tragic outcome for both men, the specific motive behind the exchange of gunfire remains unclear to investigators. Authorities have suggested that the gym's parking lot was likely a prearranged meeting place for McKnight and Morgan and that their purpose for being there was not for a workout. Surveillance footage from the fitness center has been a key piece of evidence, allowing police to piece together the events leading up to the deadly shooting.
However, the investigation has been hampered by a lack of forthcoming eyewitnesses. Despite the presence of video evidence, officials have continued to appeal to the public for more information to fully understand the circumstances that led to the deaths of DeAunte McKnight and Malik Morgan. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, and the case officially remains an open investigation.
