Parents Of Parkland Shooting Victim Bring Campaign To End Gun Violence To Tulsa

While a jury is deciding whether Nikolas Cruz will be put to death for murdering 17 people at his former high school in Parkland, Florida, one of the victims' parents are in Tulsa.

Parents of Joaquin Oliver said they are on a mission and just got a school bus with the words "enough is enough" and TV screens to show the impact of gun violence.

The family and advocates said they plan to use every part of this bus to fight against the gun violence epidemic. The school bus makes a bold statement: Stop gun violence.

Manuel and Patricia Oliver are driving it in memory of their son, who was 17 years old when he was killed.

"He was a happy kid,” said Manuel. “He loved the court. He was a great basketball player.”

Manuel said he wants the death penalty for Cruz. "The shooter of my son had no mercy,” said Manuel. “My son was shot four times."

Manuel’s family founded the nonprofit, Change The Ref, to help with gun reform.

"The very common-sense ones, like universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons, I think those things should move on," explained Manuel.

While the trial for Cruz is happening, Manuel keeps moving with his mission. Tulsa is the latest stop for the family’s first bus tour across the country.

"Let's go to red states, let's go where people still don't appreciate what we do," said Manuel.

Mutual friends connected Manuel with Dr. Tiffany Crutcher with the Terence Crutcher Foundation in Tulsa. They two said they have the same goals.

"The change that needs to take place at the top through Congress to decrease some of the violence, the change that needs to take place with the loose gun laws," explained Dr. Crutcher.

Manuel said he will keep fighting for justice and reform, because that is what Joaquin would want.

"I miss not only my son, but my best friend," said Manuel.

The bus will head to Memphis and Florida next. For more information about Change the Ref, visit https://changetheref.org/