Teen Shot In Head While Riding In Pickup Dies At Tulsa Hospital

Tulsa police have identified the 14-year-old girl who died early Friday after she was shot in the head while riding in a pickup on the Gilcrease Expressway Thursday night.

Homicide detectives say April Montano died at about 3 a.m. at the hospital.

TPD said the family of seven had been at Keystone Lake riding ATVs, one of which was a gift for April's recent graduation from Thoreau Demonstration Academy and for her good grades. They stopped to eat before getting on the expressway to go home.

Tulsa Public School Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard released the following statement:

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of 14-year-old April Montano, a student at Thoreau Demonstration Academy. April's teachers tell me she was an absolute delight in the classroom and she was a pleasure to teach. On behalf of the students and staff at Thoreau and everyone at Tulsa Public Schools, we would like to express our most sincere sympathy to April's family and classmates. We are so sorry to hear of her tragic passing."

April's family told police the girl told them she'd had a great day, then leaned her head against the truck window and fell asleep. Right after that, someone began shooting at them, they said.

The driver of the white four-door pickup told officers a black, mid-2000s year car was following the family as they were pulling a trailer loaded with ATVs eastbound on the Gilcrease near Peoria.

Sgt. Dave Walker said the family pulled to the side of the road at about 9:30 p.m.

Police said April was the only one who was shot.

Sgt. Walker says they don't have a motive and there was no indication that the family had any issue or problem with anyone on the expressway or before it got on the highway.

Police said the black car did not stop and continued on eastbound on the Gilcrease Expressway.

 Tulsa Police say if anyone has information on the car or the shooter to call Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.

Friends of April said her soul was a beautiful as her smile.

Sandy Rodriquez and Lizbeth Quiroz said she would hug into a room and hug and greet everyone. They said she would make people laugh and smile if she thought they were felling down.