TULSA, OK — A Shocking Domestic Violence Incident Rocks RiverWest Apartments; Suspect in Custody After Violent Confrontation
A terrifying act of domestic violence shattered the early morning hours in Tulsa on Saturday, June 28, 2025, when police responded to reports of a shooting at the RiverWest apartment complex. The incident has left residents rattled and a local family reeling from a harrowing ordeal involving an armed confrontation, an alleged assault, and the abrupt end to a pattern of escalating abuse. Authorities have since arrested the suspect, 34-year-old Raymond Howze, who now faces multiple charges stemming from the violent episode.
According to the Tulsa Police Department, officers were dispatched to the RiverWest complex, located near Southwest Boulevard and West 23rd Street, just after 3:00 a.m., following multiple 911 calls from residents reporting gunshots and shouting. Upon arrival, officers found signs of a violent altercation inside one of the units and quickly secured the scene. The alleged perpetrator, Howze, was taken into custody without further incident after attempting to flee the area on foot.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Howze forcibly entered the apartment of his ex-girlfriend, whose name is being withheld for privacy and safety reasons. According to police, the suspect allegedly kicked in the door while she was inside with her sister and another family member. What followed was a chaotic and terrifying series of events that left everyone inside shaken.
The ex-girlfriend’s sister reportedly attempted to intervene as Howze began making threats and confronting his former partner. In the ensuing scuffle, Howze is alleged to have physically assaulted the sister before pulling out a firearm and firing a shot inside the apartment. Miraculously, no one was struck by the bullet, but the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted by the ordeal has left lasting scars.
Witnesses and neighbors described hearing loud banging noises, yelling, and a single gunshot that pierced the early morning calm. Many residents were awakened by the noise and expressed shock at the level of violence in what is usually considered a quiet and family-oriented complex.
“I heard yelling, then a loud bang like a gunshot,” said one neighbor who requested anonymity. “It was terrifying. We didn’t know what was happening or if someone had been killed. I grabbed my kids and stayed away from the windows.”
Tulsa Police investigators say that Howze had a history of domestic-related issues with his ex-girlfriend, and Saturday morning’s incident was the culmination of a disturbing pattern of stalking, intimidation, and previous confrontations. Officers believe that the shooting was not random but rather the result of a deeply personal and volatile relationship that had escalated dangerously.
Authorities recovered a firearm from the scene, which they believe was used during the incident. The gun has been submitted for forensic testing. Howze was booked into the Tulsa County Jail and is facing a range of charges including:
- First-degree burglary
- Domestic assault and battery
- Aggravated assault
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Reckless discharge of a firearm
- Attempted murder (pending further investigation)
Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and gather evidence as they build their case. Tulsa Police emphasized that this incident underscores the importance of reporting early signs of domestic violence and seeking protective measures when relationships turn threatening or violent.
“This could have easily ended in tragedy,” said Sgt. Jason Thompson of the Tulsa PD. “We are incredibly fortunate that no one was physically injured by the gunfire, but the emotional toll is significant. Domestic violence is a serious and ongoing problem in our community, and we encourage anyone in similar situations to reach out for help before things escalate.”
Victim advocacy groups have since stepped in to assist the women involved, offering counseling, legal support, and relocation assistance if necessary. The apartment unit remains sealed off as part of the ongoing investigation.
This chilling event has sparked renewed conversations about the importance of supporting survivors of domestic abuse and ensuring that protective orders and intervention strategies are effectively enforced. Local organizations, including DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Services), are urging the public to remain vigilant and proactive in helping loved ones escape dangerous relationships.
As the community processes this unsettling incident, residents of the RiverWest apartment complex are left grappling with fear, frustration, and a deepened awareness of how quickly domestic disputes can escalate into violence. The Tulsa Police Department continues to ask anyone with additional information about the incident to contact their non-emergency line or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Meanwhile, Raymond Howze remains in custody without bond as he awaits arraignment and potential prosecution in what is shaping up to be one of the more disturbing domestic violence cases in recent Tulsa memory.