BIXBY, Okla. — Bixby Police said there have only been two homicides in their city this year. Both are being investigated as murder-suicides, and both took place within one month.
The latest homicide happened Friday, Aug. 5, at Formosa Spa on S. Memorial Drive when Rocchio Vincenzo shot Jin Yu Wang to death before turning the gun on himself.
The first homicide took place on July 6, when Martin Smith shot and killed Sherry Gamble Smith during an argument at their home in Bixby.
Gamble Smith was a pillar of the Greenwood community in Tulsa, and she served as president of the Black Wall Street Chamber until her death.
Dean Townley, a close friend of Wang’s, spoke to FOX23 about his friend.
“You can’t imagine what she was like,” Townley said. “She was a neat person. Funny. Hysterical.”
He continued, “It’s just sad that, if he was gonna take his own life, why didn’t he take his own life and just leave her alone? But people like that don’t think like that.”
Bixby Police Public Information Officer Seth Adcock told FOX23 that it’s important for victims of domestic abuse to seek help.
“It doesn’t start as [violence], you go on two dates, and a murder suicide happens,” Adcock said. “Two people lost their lives. For what reason? I don’t know.”
Bixby Police want anyone experiencing domestic violence or mental health struggles to reach out and get help.
Adcock continued, “We want anyone going through that to reach out to us for help.”
Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS) is a Tulsa-based organization that offers victims of domestic violence resources, such as safe housing, counseling, education and legal services.
DVIS offers a 24-Hour Information and Crisis Line for more information: (918)-743-5763 or (918)-7HELP.ME.
The three-digit nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is “988.”
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