Teenage Father Shot, Killed By Stray Bullet During Large Gathering In SW OKC

A 16-year-old died on Friday after being hit by a stray bullet, Oklahoma City police officials said.

The deadly shooting took place outside an event center near SW 59th and S Agnew Avenue, and police said they have not arrested the shooters.

The victim's family told News 9 on Monday they are shocked by Oscar Escobedo’s sudden and tragic death. They said he had an 8-month-old baby boy who will never know his father.

Escobedo’s life was taken during a shootout in the parking lot of Patty’s Event Center. Police said officers responded to reports of multiple shots that were fired. Witnesses told police a fight broke out during a large gathering inside the event center.

“It spilled out into the parking lot,” said Sgt. Dillon Quirk, Oklahoma City Police Department. “Multiple rounds were fired; it appears between two separate guns.”

Police said one of the bullets hit the teenage victim in the stomach.

Escobedo was taken to a nearby hospital where he died. Currently, police do not think Escobedo was part of the gunfight.

The chaos was caught on a camera outside a daycare in the same shopping center. 

“Thankfully, we were closed and not here,” said Karia Ward, Little Lynn’s Academy Director.

The day care's director did not know a teenager was shot and killed until she came into work on Monday.

“I was on bus route and came back and my sister told me there was a shooting over the weekend and someone died in the parking lot,” said Ward. “So yeah, I was shocked.”

Investigators requested Ward's security video. She hopes they can glean something from the footage and find out who was involved in Escobedo's death.

“I feel really bad for his family,” said Ward. “It’s very, very sad.” 

However, the deadly shooting is not the first time gun violence erupted outside the event center during a large party. Last year in August, four people were shot during a late night gathering. Police said one man was left in critical condition.

A close family friend started a GoFundMe to help pay for Escobedo’s unexpected funeral expenses and the family he left behind.