Star Athlete from Union High Dead in Shooting at Airbnb Party Over Labor Day!
A Union Public Schools athlete was shot at a party held at an Airbnb near 21st and Sheridan in Tulsa on the night of September 1. The school confirmed the incident on Monday, with Tulsa police reporting that the shooting occurred around 11 p.m. on Sunday when another teenager at the gathering fired a gun. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are still unclear.
The victim, Jarek Watie, was shot in the face and neck and is currently in critical but stable condition, according to the Tulsa Police Department. Union’s Director of Athletics, Emily Barkley, expressed her deep concern for Watie, describing him as a special young man who plays an integral role in the Union family. She added that the Union community’s thoughts and prayers are with Watie and his family, hoping for his swift and complete recovery.
The person accused of firing the gun turned themselves into the police. However, due to the suspect’s status as a juvenile, their identity has not been released. The suspect has been arrested on charges of reckless conduct with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a juvenile.
Anna Wunderlich, who lives next door to the Airbnb where the incident occurred, witnessed the chaos that unfolded that night. She noticed a crowd of teenagers running frantically in and out of the house and cars speeding away. Upon stepping outside, she saw the teenagers panicking, with some screaming that someone had been shot.
Wunderlich rushed inside the home and found Watie lying on a bed with two other teenagers trying to stop his bleeding. Initially, she feared he might not survive, but she managed to get him to speak.
“His eye and his nose were busted, and we were trying to get the spelling of his name, but it was hard to understand him,” she recounted. “He’s really lucky. I don’t know. It’s crazy.”
The Airbnb property, which has positive reviews on the platform, has strict rules. Only individuals over 25 can book it. A maximum of ten guests is allowed, and parties are strictly prohibited.
The property owner, who preferred not to appear on camera, explained that the hospitality group Evolve manages the listing. They confirmed that the woman who booked the property on Sunday had passed all booking requirements.
Neighbors, including Wunderlich, stated that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred at the residence, and they hope that the unfortunate incident involving Watie brings about change. Wunderlich emphasized that hosting parties like these are out of control and not acceptable, especially when it leads to such heartbreaking consequences for young people.
Watie is a notable athlete. In 2023, he won the state championship in the 400-meter race and contributed to Union High School’s back-to-back Track and Field state championships in 2023 and 2024.
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Just two days before the shooting, on August 30, he made two touchdown catches as a wide receiver, helping Union secure a season-opening win against Bentonville. He has also received a scholarship offer from the University of Tulsa to run track and field.