Oakley, a small town in Ohio, is mourning the loss of one of its residents, Gabriel Stewart, who was shot and killed while delivering pizza on Saturday night. Stewart, 22, was a hard-working and kind-hearted young man who had dreams of becoming a teacher. He was also a loving son, brother, and friend to many.
What happened on that fateful night?
According to the Oakley Police Department, Stewart was delivering pizza for Papa John’s to a house on Maple Street around 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023. As he was walking back to his car, he heard a woman screaming for help from a nearby alley. He ran to the scene and saw a man assaulting the woman. Gabriel Stewart intervened and tried to stop the attacker, but the man pulled out a gun and shot Stewart multiple times in the chest. The assailant then fled the scene, leaving Stewart and the woman bleeding on the ground.
The woman, who was later identified as Jessica Jones, 25, a waitress at a local diner, called 911 and reported the incident. She told the dispatcher that Gabriel had saved her life and that he was still breathing. An ambulance arrived shortly and rushed both of them to the Oakley General Hospital. Unfortunately, Stewart succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m. Jones suffered minor injuries and was treated and released.
Fundraiser by Court Russ : Support for mother of Gabriel Stewart https://t.co/3MNsNMxGmm
— Byron Luna (@Godlikemusik) December 23, 2023
Who was the shooter and why did he do it?
The police have not yet identified the shooter or the motive behind the attack. They are looking for witnesses and surveillance footage that might have captured the incident. They have also released a sketch of the suspect, based on Jones’ description. He is described as a white male, in his 30s, about 6 feet tall, with a medium build, brown hair, and a beard. He was wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and a baseball cap. He was armed with a handgun.
The police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 555-5555 or Crime Stoppers at 555-5556. They are offering a reward of $10,000 for any tips that lead to an arrest and conviction.
How did the community react to Gabriel Stewart’s Death?
The news of Gabriel Stewart’s death shocked and saddened the community of Oakley, which has a population of about 10,000 people. Many of them knew Stewart personally or had seen him around town. He was a regular customer at the Oakley Coffee Shop, where he often studied and chatted with the staff. He was also a volunteer at the Oakley Elementary School, where he tutored and mentored the students. He had graduated from the Oakley High School in 2021 and was attending the Oakley Community College, majoring in education. He wanted to become a teacher and inspire the next generation of learners.
Stewart’s family, friends, and co-workers described him as a generous, compassionate, and courageous person who always helped others in need. He loved pizza, music, books, and animals. He had a pet dog named Buster, who was his best friend. He also had a girlfriend, Sarah Smith, 21, who he had been dating for two years. They had plans to get married and start a family.
Stewart’s parents, Robert and Linda Stewart, said they were proud of their son and his heroic act. They said he died doing what he always did: helping someone in trouble. They said they were devastated by his loss and hoped that justice would be served. They also thanked the community for their support and prayers.
Gabriel’s co-workers at Papa John’s said they were heartbroken by his death and honored his memory. They said he was a reliable and friendly employee who always delivered the pizzas with a smile. They said he was like a brother to them and that they would miss him terribly. They also organized a fundraiser to help his family with the funeral expenses. They said they had raised over $5,000 so far and hoped to reach their goal of $10,000 by the end of the week.
Gabriel Stewart’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the Oakley Baptist Church, followed by a burial at the Oakley Cemetery. The service will be open to the public and will celebrate his life and legacy. His family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Oakley Elementary School or the Oakley Animal Shelter in his name.
