The father of a
Tulsa teen killed in a drive -by shooting says senseless violence must
stop. Police were called to a drive-by shooting last night in the 5600
block of North Frankfort. When officers arrived they found 18-year-old
Joseph Adetula lying in the street with several gunshot wounds. Police
say he later died at an area hospital. Last night's shooting makes 9
homicides in a past two weeks. Dayo Adetula explains what happened.
“I was inside a girl came in said Joseph got shot, Joseph got shot.
I ran to where he was lying in the floor like a dog... crying."
It was a sight Dayo Adetula says he could have never imagined. "I
didn't know what to do. I touched him, I said who shot you. He
couldn't say nothing- he was just lying there you know. I saw him
bleeding." Police say the summer months bring out every one-- the
good and the bad. Officer Scott Walton says, “there's more
intermingling of people more opportunity for crime to occur."
That's Dayo's biggest fear, that another parent will feel what he's
feeling. "My son is gone. Nobody deserves this, it's too much,
it's just too much." The family did not have insurance for
Joseph. Family members have started a trust fund at Freedom Bank of
Oklahoma. (82-805-1) P.O.BOX 6538 Tulsa Oklahoma 74156-0538 .
(918)425-4381 Police don't have a lot of suspect information at this
time. They're looking for a light tan , 4-door vehicle. If you know
anything about this case call Crimestoppers at (918)596-COPS....
Message
of Dayo Adetula
Joseph Adetula: A Life Not Lived 1986-2005
What would you do if your son, just starting his adult life, was gunned down senselessly on the street?
This happened to Dayo Adetula when his son Joseph Adetula was
gunned down on the night of July 4, 2005, while walking home from a
convenience store. The only information: witnesses say the shots came
from a four-door gold or tan vehicle that sped off. Joseph was shot
nine times. Dayo was at Joseph's side when the ambulance came.
Tragically, Joseph died at the hospital only a short time later.
The murder is still unsolved, despite heavy media coverage,
police efforts, and Dayo Adetula's own attempts to find out who killed
his son.
Many people in this situation might be bitter or hopeless. Not Dayo Adetula.
Adetula has started a nonprofit foundation in his son's name to
educate young black men about the effects of violence. Through the
Joseph Adetula Foundation, Dayo Adetula will
- Help develop safer neighbourhoods through neighbour involvement in the community;
- Raise money for after school programs; pay for new playground
equipment, computers, field trips, and sports equipment in local
schools; and
- Help young people become informed about school and college
internships and leadership development and community services
opportunities.
Youth attending the after school program will participate in
peer-to-peer substance abuse mentoring for younger children as well as
pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, and other youth issues.
The Joseph Adetula Foundation cannot do it alone. We need
community involvement, adults to act as volunteers and leaders for the
young people, and donations to continue paying for the many services we
will provide. With your help, we will have no more tragedies. Help our
young people grow up and develop into the fine adults they are destined
to be. Support the Joseph Adetula Foundation
"A Journey of thousand miles, begins with a single step"



