OKC Police Look To Lower Curfew After Weekend Shooting In Bricktown

A quick police response to a shooting in Bricktown on Saturday led to officers taking two suspects into custody. The shooting involved three people and police said two were teenagers. Police arrested 21-year-old Sergio Valerio and his 14-year-old brother. A 15-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening gunshot injuries.

There were extra patrols on duty in Bricktown over the weekend. Oklahoma City police officials said on Monday the officers were immediately able to respond after hearing multiple gunshots.

“We’re getting more shots, Bricktown officers head this was to the Starbucks.”

Officers quickly found the teenage gunshot victim and two suspects just after 10 p.m. near Reno and Oklahoma Avenue.

“Alright we got one in custody in a green hoodie.”

Police said the shooting stemmed from a dispute earlier in the night between two teenagers. One of the teenagers asked his 21-year-old brother to help.

“Arrived, I guess to take up for his little brother,” said Major Dan Stewart, Oklahoma City Police Department. “Brought a gun and it just kind of went south from there.”

This was an incident Bricktown officers said they were prepared to handle.

“We knew this weekend was going to be a very busy weekend,” said Stewart. “We made sure that we provided extra manpower, extra officers in the area.”

Shootings and other violent crimes prompted the department to start a safety initiative for Bricktown earlier this year. They started by adding more officers and better lighting.

“We’re actually working with the Bricktown Association and OG&E to increase the lighting,” said Stewart.

Stewart said they would even consider lowering the 11 p.m. curfew if needed.

“If there’s a push for the business owners and stakeholders within Bricktown,” said Stewart. “I think the police would probably support that.”

Oklahoma City leaders, the police department and the Bricktown Association are continuing to identify ways to increase safety in Bricktown.