Crime
Police Identify Woman Killed in Southwest Oklahoma City Shooting, Two Suspects in Custody
Oklahoma City, OK — The Oklahoma City Police Department has identified the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred on Tuesday afternoon in southwest Oklahoma City. The victim has been identified as 24-year-old Jasmin Chavez.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting shortly after 2 p.m. in the 1400 block of Southwest 38th Street, located between South Pennsylvania Avenue and South Blackwelder Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Chavez critically injured after her vehicle had crashed into the side of Redemption Church, just a few blocks from where the shooting took place.
Chavez was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
According to investigators, Chavez had stopped in the 1300 block of Southwest 38th Street to speak with several individuals when an altercation occurred, leading to her being shot.
In an attempt to flee the scene, she drove a short distance before losing control of her vehicle and crashing into the church building.
Following a swift investigation, authorities arrested two individuals in connection with the shooting: a 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl. Both suspects were taken into custody on first-degree murder complaints.
The 19-year-old suspect has been booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center, while the 16-year-old was placed in custody at the Berry House, a juvenile detention facility.
Due to the ongoing investigation and pending formal charges, the names of the suspects have not yet been released.
The Oklahoma City Police Department urges anyone with information related to this case to contact their homicide tip line at 405-297-1200.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.