Father Of Slain 14-Year-Old: Killers Wanted To Damage Us

Eduardo Mesa calls slain daughter April his angel.

"My little girl. My baby," he said.

Two men are in custody for her murder. Police said the suspects – David Ruble II and Demonte Rushing – wanted the family's ATVs and started shooting at their truck as it traveled down the Gilcrease Expressway on Thursday night.

The gunfire killed 14-year-old April Montano.

Tulsa police say all shootings are senseless but the killing of a bright young girl has rocked them to the core.

5/31/2014 Related Story: Two Men Jailed In Gilcrease Expressway Murder Of 14-Year-Old Tulsa Girl

April was riding ATVs with her family at Keystone Lake just hours before her young life was ended by a bullet.

Mesa said Thursday turned dark on their way home when gunshots flew into the family's truck on the Gilcrease Expressway just minutes from their house.

"I don't know how many times they shoot, but they don't stop," Mesa said. "Keep going and going."

Tulsa police say a bullet hit vivacious April in the head.

She died the next morning.

"I know we got an angel now," he said. "A big angel."

Within 48 hours, 21-year-old Rushing and 19-year-old Ruble were arrested for her death.

Police arrested Ruble the night of the shooting for eluding and driving under suspension.

They pulled him over because his black Dodge Charger matched the description of the suspect car, and it was driving over 100 mph near the scene.

Police say they found a .40-caliber handgun along his route and shell casings nearby.

Detectives spent Friday and Saturday gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.

The men were arrested for murder on Sunday.

TPD Sgt. Dave Walker says Ruble is part of the Tulsa "underworld."

"He's been around a couple murders that we've talked to him about," Walker said. "So it's not the first time we've talked to him."

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Police believe Ruble and Rushing wanted the six ATVs that were loaded on to the family's trailer.

Mesa thinks they just wanted to kill.

"The one thing I see, these guys don't want four-wheelers," he said. "They want the damage to us. And they do."

April has three siblings, all under the age of 18.

Because of April's good grades, Mesa just bought her a brand-new ATV last week.

He says she had dreams of learning to drive, getting a car and going to college.

Her funeral is Monday at 1 p.m. at Rose Hill Funeral Home.

5/29/2014 Related Story: Teen Shot In Head While Riding In Pickup Dies At Tulsa Hospital