On the morning of July 14, 2024, a backyard street fight in a Yukon neighborhood escalated and ended with the death of 49-year-old William Birdtail, an American Indian/Alaska Native husband and father. The dispute began as a fair fight between Birdtail’s son and another young man; as Birdtail’s son gained the upper hand, 21-year-old Ramari Boone-Haye intervened and the scuffle grew into a larger brawl between two groups.

Witnesses say Birdtail stepped in to defend his son. Boone-Haye reportedly produced a micro-Draco style rifle; Birdtail grabbed the barrel and told him he would not be shot. Boone-Haye then chambered a round, shot Birdtail in the face, and fired additional shots as Birdtail lay on the ground, then struck him in the head with the gun. Neighbors heard Birdtail’s wife calling his name and saw her hold him as he lay dying.

Oklahoma City police arrived around 3:20 a.m. in the 11300 block of N.W. 96th Street and found Birdtail dead from multiple gunshot wounds to his head, face, and body.

If anyone witnessed the confrontation or has information about what led up to the shooting, please share what is known.