6 things to know for Tuesday, July 29, 2025

A Tulsa apartment fire, a deadly church festival shooting, and a lawsuit over Oklahoma’s planned theme park top today’s headlines. Here are six key updates, including new controversy surrounding State Superintendent Ryan Walters and a River Parks trail attack.

Tuesday, July 29th 2025, 5:31 am

By: Jeromee Scot


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As Tulsa firefighters investigate a fire at a long-troubled apartment complex, police continue to search for a gunman in the deadly shooting of a 15-year-old at a church festival. Here's a look at the top six headlines for this Tuesday.

1. Fire at long-troubled Tulsa apartment complex 

Fire crews responded overnight to a fire at Vista Shadow Mountain Apartments near 61st and Memorial around 12:30 a.m.

The fire was located on a chimney, and crews used chainsaws to cut into the structure and ceiling of two nearby units. Both sustained only minor damage. No one was injured.

The complex was the focus of mass evictions in 2021 after it was declared unsafe. City leaders are now eyeing a redevelopment plan to convert it into affordable housing.

Tulsa City Councilor Lori Decter Wright says she plans to hold another community meeting on the redevelopment later this summer.

2. 15-year-old shot and killed at church festival identified

Tulsa Police say 15-year-old Alexander Puentes was killed Sunday night during a festival at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church.

Investigators say Puentes was arguing with another teen, who called a third teen. That teenager later arrived and shot Puentes, who died at the hospital.

“It’s completely unfortunate that a 15-year-old has lost a life. It’s sad when anyone loses their life, but a 15-year-old is just starting their life,” said Tulsa Police Captain Richard Meulenberg. “So it’s on us in the community to look out for these kids because they have their whole life ahead of them.”

A memorial Mass will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at the church.

Police confirm they have arrested a 15-year old suspect. We are not naming him because he's a juvenile. We will if he's charged as an adult.

3. Four dead, including NYPD officer, in Manhattan office shooting

A gunman opened fire in a midtown Manhattan office building Monday evening, killing four people, including an NYPD officer, before turning the gun on himself.

Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas. They say he drove cross-country, double-parked outside the building, and entered armed with an M-4 rifle.

A second loaded weapon and ammunition were found in his vehicle. Investigators say Tamura had a history of mental illness.

4. Man arrested for attacking jogger on River Parks trail

Tulsa Police say Lorenzo Williams was arrested for assault and battery after he attacked a man on a River Parks trail July 14.

Witnesses told officers Williams chased after a woman walking a dog and then punched a jogger, dragging him down an embankment toward the river. A witness intervened while his wife called 911, and the group held Williams until police arrived.

The incident happened just 10 days before an unrelated stabbing at Turkey Mountain. Both victims survived.

5. Education board member pushes back on Walters’ new teacher test plan

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters is facing criticism again, this time over a plan to test teachers moving to the state using a conservative nonprofit’s materials.

Board member Chris Van Denhende raised concerns about using PragerU to administer the test, calling it unnecessary and possibly illegal.

“We’re short. I think last year we had 5,000 emergency certified teachers,” Van Denhende said. “The reality is, what teachers teach in the classroom in Oklahoma is dictated by the state standards… someone might be concerned about in terms of a ‘quote woke nature.’”

Van Denhende also accused Walters of violating state law by hiring a new secretary without board approval. He says his attempt to call a special meeting was blocked.

6. Investor sues theme park developers over ‘God’ messages and $60 million loss

An investor is suing the developers of the proposed American Heartland Theme Park near Vinita, accusing them of fraud and racketeering.

The park was announced in 2023 with promises of an opening in 2026, but the site remains largely unchanged.

Attorneys for investor Gene Bicknell claim developers convinced him to invest more than $60 million by impersonating God through messages.

Mansion Entertainment Group has not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

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