Union High School athlete released from hospital after being shot, suspect arrested

Union High School Head Football Coach Kirk Fridrich confirmed to FOX23 that one of his players, Jarek Watie, was released from the hospital on Tuesday. Tulsa police say Watie was shot at a house party over the weekend.

The Tulsa Police Department (TPD) said officers responded to a shooting call near East 24th Street and South Sheridan Road around 11 p.m. where a large group of teenagers were having a party at an Airbnb.

According to police, there was marijuana, alcohol, and guns present at the party.

Police said someone was toying with a gun when it accidentally went off and shot Watie.

Police believe it was an accidental shooting, but said it is very irresponsible.

“A young man, a 17-year-old victim who is a Union student and apparently an athlete with Union, was in a room with some other people and we understand that there were multiple guns in this room and they were maybe making a video and just kind of waving the guns around in a very irresponsible manner,” said Captain Richard Meulenberg with TPD.

At some point, a gun goes off and a bullet hits Watie in the neck.

Police said the suspect, a 17-year-old boy, left the scene but later contacted officers to cooperate.

The suspect was arrested and booked for reckless conduct with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

After taking the suspect into custody, Tulsa Police are beginning to unpack what exactly happened and how the teens got marijuana, alcohol, and the weapons.

Meulenberg said all aspects of the party could have been avoided.

“Someone’s renting an Airbnb for a teenage party, that’s wrong. Someone provided alcohol and marijuana for teenagers having a party, that’s wrong,” said Meulenberg. “Somehow, they got a hold of multiple firearms and were waving them around in a reckless manner, also wrong. Then unfortunately, as a consequence of the culmination of all of these terrible things that took place, someone nearly lost their life because of it.”

FOX23 also spoke with Watie’s football coach about the incident.

“The first thing I think of is his smile,” said Fridrich. “He plays a bigger role for us than just catching the ball or running fast. He’s an outstanding teammate, a friend, he’s a brother. Those types of things that we miss most. For us, we just want him back with us.”

The University of Tulsa’s Head Football Coach, Kevin Wilson, offered his prayers to the Watie family too.

“Prayers to their team, that family, that young man for the incident. I think that happened yesterday or the day before yesterday. That’s very sad and unfortunate. Matter of fact, I believe he was at our game Thursday night. For what that’s worth.”

Since the shooting, Coach Fridrich visited Watie at the hospital.

Seeing him recovering gives him hope that Watie will be reunited with his team.

Fridrich told FOX23 counselors are available for the team if needed during this time.

Union Public Schools told FOX23 they are concerned about Watie’s condition and are hoping for a speedy recovery.

“We are greatly concerned about Jarek Watie as he is a special young man and an integral part of our Union family,” Union Public Schools said. “Jarek and his family are in our thoughts, and we are praying for a quick and full recovery.”

The 17-year-old suspect turned himself into the police and is facing charges.

Tulsa police say the suspect in the apparently accidental shooting of a Tulsa Union High School student turned himself in to authorities in Broken Arrow, and was arrested on complaints of “Reckless Discharge of a Firearm and Minor in Possession of a Firearm.”

The suspect, who is Native American, was booked into the federal juvenile system as called for under the McGirt ruling.

On its social media page, TPD indicates the shooting happened at an AirBnB rental, booked by an adult who did not attend the gathering of teens.

Reportedly, alcohol was involved, and the gun was getting waved around in a dangerous manner - but the shooting was apparently accidental.

The victim, TPD says, was originally admitted to the hospital in critical condition but has “since improved.”

They identify the shooting victim as Jarek Watie; the suspect’s name was not released.

Union H.S. Athlete Shot at Airbnb House Party On Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 11:00 pm, officers responded to a...

Posted by Tulsa Police Department on Tuesday, September 3, 2024

KRMG’s original story appears below:

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Union Public Schools confirmed a high school student was shot over the weekend.

The school district confirmed Jarek Watie was shot on Sunday.

Union Public Schools told FOX23 they are concerned about Watie’s condition and hope for a speedy recovery.

“We are greatly concerned about Jarek Watie, as he is a special young man and an integral part of our Union family,” Union Public Schools said. “Jarek and his family are in our thoughts and we are praying for a quick and full recovery.”