Travis Maldonado, 23, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park on October 6, 2017. The shooting occurred inside the zoo’s gift shop while Travis was handling a .45 caliber handgun and, after removing the magazine, placed the firearm to his head believing it would not fire without the magazine. The gun discharged and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Travis had moved to Oklahoma from California and struggled with meth addiction. He had a personal connection to the park’s owner, Joe Exotic, having been part of a three-way ceremony and later legally marrying Joe in 2015; those who knew him said he did not identify as gay. At the time of the shooting he was with Joshua Dial, the park’s campaign manager. Law enforcement ruled the death accidental, found no evidence of foul play, and announced no arrests or suspects. He is survived by his parents and two sisters.