Naman Shrestha
In the episode titled ‘Broken Youth’ of A&E’s ‘After the First 48,’ the primary focus is on the tragic killing of 18-year-old Fedro Givens Jr. in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in September 2022. With the help of eyewitnesses to the murder and surveillance footage, the detectives were able to identify and track down the perpetrator, who had fled to another state, responsible for the homicide. The documentary also features insightful and emotional interviews with Fedro’s family and officials who helped solve the case.
Fedro Givens Jr. Was Killed While Visiting His Sister’s Apartment Complex
The beloved son of Fedro J. Givens Sr., Fedro James Givens Jr., was quite young when he was taken in by foster parents, Sandra and Marshall Goff, who raised him as one of their own. Born on May 19, 2004, he was the youngest of 15 siblings, including Clarinda and Krystal Givens, with whom he shared a close-knit bond. While studying at Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Fedro was not only academically impressive but also excelled in extracurricular activities, serving as an integral member of the school’s track team. Nicknamed “Man Man,” he was described as a compassionate and friendly individual with a good sense of humor.
The family-oriented teenager graduated from high school in May 2022 and was looking forward to obtaining his CDL (Commercial Driver License). Unfortunately, his dreams of a future were shattered on the evening of September 30, 2022, when he went to visit his sister at the Echo Trails apartment complex near 61st and US 169. Around 7:23 pm, the authorities received a call about gunshots being fired at the apartment complex. When the police arrived at the scene, they found 18-year-old Fedro at the gazebo of the Echo Trails Apartments in a critical condition with three gunshot wounds in his chest. He tragically succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital and was pronounced dead. Immediately, a homicide investigation was launched to get to the bottom of the case.
Fedro’s Killer Was Identified With the Help of Surveillance Footage
As part of the investigation, the authorities interviewed the three girls, including Fedro Givens Jr.’s girlfriend, who were present at the scene at the time of the shooting. The witnesses claimed that two males approached Fedro at the gazebo and engaged in a brief conversation before one of them pulled out a gun and shot him three times. One of the witnesses told the detectives that the shooter resided in the Greens of Bedford, an apartment complex across the street from the crime scene. About a week prior, Fedro had told her that the shooter was a student at the Union High School. During her interview, Fedro’s girlfriend claimed that the suspect asked him if he knew somebody, and when Fedro replied with a “yes,” he shot him and fled the scene.
A few hours after the homicide, the authorities found the surveillance footage from the apartment complex that showed two suspects, one in a gray hoodie and the other in a Batman t-shirt, walking towards Fedro and the one in the gray hoodie firing multiple shots at him. One of the residents of the complex also submitted a gray hoodie that they found in a drainage ditch 100 yards away from where the shooting took place. Soon, the detectives found clearer video footage of the suspects walking down the street towards a convenience store moments before the murder. They sent the image of the potential shooter to the Union High School’s security team, who identified him as Kaleb Pelton. After Fedro’s girlfriend positively identified Kaleb from a photo lineup, the authorities obtained an arrest warrant for the teen suspect.
The Shooter Had Fled to California After Killing Fedro Givens Jr.
Although Kaleb’s apartment was empty, the detectives found another key video footage from the Ring doorbell across his apartment. It showed that on the fateful evening, Kaleb, in his gray hoodie, and the other suspect left the house at 6:39 pm and returned at 7:24 pm, but Kaleb wasn’t wearing his gray hoodie. A few days later, on October 17, 2022, Kaleb was taken into custody in Elk Grove, California, and charged with first-degree murder of Fedro Givens Jr. When the detectives tried to question him, he lawyered up. He was extradited to Oklahoma six months later.
Meanwhile, the detectives tracked down the teenager in the Batman t-shirt, who witnessed the murder in front of him. An anonymous tip led them to Broken Arrow, where he resided. The authorities talked to his father, who brought the eyewitness to the station. The teen claimed that he had no idea that Kaleb owned a gun and was going to shoot Fedro that fateful evening. He also alleged that Kaleb asked him to urinate on his hands after the shooting in order to get rid of the gun residue.
Kaleb Pelton is Currently Incarcerated at an Oklahoma Prison
About a week before Kaleb Pelton’s murder trial, the defense filed a motion asking for the court to give them the gang certification report from the Tulsa Police Department regarding Fedro Givens Jr. Since there was no gang sheet related to him, the judge denied the defense’s motion altogether. On April 9, 2024, the trial finally got underway. The prosecution called the eyewitnesses, including the teenager in the Batman t-shirt, who testified against Kaleb and told the jury that he shot Fedro. Meanwhile, the defense argued that the defendant acted in self-defense.
The defense also told the jury that Fedro had alleged associations with a Tulsa gang and claimed he had previously allegedly threatened his girlfriend with a weapon. Kaleb also took the stand and claimed that he considered Fedro to be a dangerous individual who was known for carrying and selling guns. He also tried to shift the blame to the eyewitness who was with him, claiming that he had provided him with the gun. The claim against the eyewitness was dismissed. In the end, the jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching a final verdict. On April 10, 2024, Kaleb was convicted of first-degree murder. The following month, he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. As of today, the 20-year-old killer is serving his sentence at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center in Lexington, Oklahoma.
