Dominik Papatu, 15, was shot and killed inside the Wingstop where he worked in Lawton, Oklahoma, on the afternoon of April 13, 2026. Lawton police found him in the restaurant’s bathroom with a fatal gunshot wound to the right side of his face. Papatu was a student at Eisenhower High School and a member of the varsity football team.

Investigators arrested 17-year-old Jaylen Carter of Cache and charged him with first-degree murder. Court documents say the incident began during an alleged drug transaction for codeine cough syrup. An eyewitness who was with Carter told detectives that Carter and Papatu produced handguns in the bathroom and were passing them back and forth before Carter allegedly demanded Papatu’s gun and shot him. The witness said Carter then pointed the gun at him, prompting him to flee and have his mother call authorities. Surveillance footage reportedly matches the eyewitness account.

Anyone who knew Dominik or has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.