‘Beloved’ 15-year-old boy shot and killed at church festival, OK officials say
A 15-year-old boy was at a church festival when he was fatally shot by another boy during an argument, Oklahoma police said.
The suspected 15-year-old shooter, who showed up at the event at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, got into a fight with Alexander Puentes, Tulsa police said in a July 29 news release.
He pulled out a gun, shot Puentes and fled the night of July 27, according to police.
Puentes had a gunshot wound to his stomach, police said. He was taken to a hospital and died hours later.
A backpack with a gun was found in a backyard near the church, according to police.
The teen accused of killing Puentes was arrested and charged with first-degree murder on July 29, police said. He was taken to Tulsa County Juvenile Center.
His identity was not released by authorities.
Puentes is remembered as a “beloved and faithful” lifelong member of the Oklahoma church, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Tulsa said in a statement.
“He served with joy and dedication as an altar server and was always ready to help whenever needed,” the church said.
The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma said the accused shooter was not affiliated with the church.
Google Translate was used to translate a statement from the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma.
This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 12:44 PM with the headline "‘Beloved’ 15-year-old boy shot and killed at church festival, OK officials say."
