In the late hours of a summer evening in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a life was tragically cut short. On June 2, 2017, Rabson Robert, a 36-year-old man, was found shot outside a room at the America's Value Inn on 11th Street. Police responded to calls of a shooting just before 11 p.m. and discovered Robert on the ground near room 118; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The initial investigation into his death led authorities down a path with a swift and violent turn.
Shortly after the shooting, police identified an 18-year-old, Naway Willy, as a person of interest. When officers attempted to question him, Willy fled. During the ensuing chase, he reportedly drew a firearm and aimed it at the officers, who then opened fire, fatally wounding him. While initially considered a suspect in Robert's murder, further investigation cleared Willy of direct involvement in the shooting itself. The focus of the investigation then shifted to another individual.
The primary suspect in Rabson Robert's death was identified as 33-year-old Tulio 'Alex' Aviles. He was taken into custody on June 4, 2017, and faced a first-degree murder complaint. Key information in the case came from Aviles' own wife, who told investigators that her husband had come to her in a panic on the night of the incident. He allegedly confessed to meeting with Robert at the motel, claiming Robert had threatened him. Aviles asserted that he had pulled out a gun to frighten Robert, and it had discharged accidentally. Another witness at the scene reported hearing a single gunshot and seeing a vehicle, later identified as Aviles', speeding away from the motel with its lights off. Despite his claims of an accidental shooting, authorities proceeded with a first-degree murder charge against Tulio Aviles.
