Veteran pleads for national attention on Strait case

A veteran from North Caroline said he wants more national attention paid on Tulsa’s Bob and Nancy Strait case.

"Bob Strait needs our support," said Nick Palmisciano, CEO of Ranger Up.

The crime against Bob and Nancy Strait shocked Tulsa. Bob, 90 and his wife Nancy, 85 were attacked and robbed in their North Tulsa home on March 14th.

One of their daughters’s talked to FOX23 News about their life shortly after the attack. 

"You knew he loved his wife, my mamma,” said their daughter Andra.

A suspect is in custody and now there is plea for national support. A SUSPECT...

"I was shocked this had happened so long ago and no one was talking about it,” said Palmisciano.

Palmisciano is a former Army Ranger and graduated from West Point and has his MBA from Duke University.

If you drive by the Strait’s home in North Tulsa you’ll see a memorial has been set up in their frontyard.

FOX23 News has covered the Strait attack extensively and now the family wants to grieve.

FOX23 News has spoken with neighbors about starting an alert neighbor program, a rally is scheduled by a stranger, FOX23 News has kept in touch with the Strait family and has reported on the arrest of one of three to five suspects in the attack.

The story didn’t get the national attention like other recent violent cases and one Army veteran wants to change that.

YouTube videos posted by “RangerUp” shows the CEO Nick Palmisciano and his co-workers in a lighter tone.

Ranger Up is a clothing company that supports veterans, servicemen and women and their families.

However, in the "RangerUp" YouTube video titled Veteran Plea for Help: Bob Strait and Family, former Ranger Palmisciano is pleading for national attention on the attack of Bob and Nancy Strait.

The elderly couple who were married for 65 years was severely beaten in their home on March 14th. Nancy died the next day from her injuries.

"There is a major story that you haven't heard of and candidly won't unless we push this,” said Palmisciano on the YouTube video.

Mr. Strait survived, he is a World War II veteran and a paratrooper.

"I think the American people care about veterans I think the American people care about what happened to bob and Nancy strait,” said Palmisciano on the YouTube video.

In a Skype interview with the former Army Ranger he said the attention paid to the Trayvon Martin case and the North Tulsa Shootings that happened on Good Friday overshadowed the crime against the Straits.

"I don't think this is a racial issue, I think there is evil everywhere, there is evil in all populations. I don't think any reasonable good human being of any race, religion walks into a home and sees an elderly couple and does what they did to them,” said Palmisciano. "I wanted to do something. I never like to be the person who is sitting around waiting for other people to do something."

He is reaching to Comedy Central’s Colbert Report and Jon Stewart. He understands they are comedic in nature but Palmisciano believes Colbert and Stewart listen to their fans.

Palmisciano doesn’t want his message to encourage people to be vigilantes but he wants to honor a veteran.

"That Bob Strait knows his brothers and sisters in arms past and present are 100% behind him and empathizes as much as someone can,” said Palmisciano.

On the phone a Strait family said Mr. and Mrs. Strait are private people and they don’t want the spot light.

A family said she respects the intent, but they are not asking or requesting the attention and they want to focus on Mr. Strait’s health.

“If that is the case I personally will have no part in doing that. I just want to make sure that they are taken care of and this is brought to the attention of the American people,” said Palmisciano.

A Strait family said Mr. Strait doesn’t have long to live and he is in stage five kidney failure and won’t speak about that day.

"What we are advocating right now is sharing the video on Facebook and twitter and social media, contacting your congressman to let them know that we want to make sure that this is being supported on the highest level.

Palmisciano has interviewed with CNN today.

Tulsa Police homicide detectives continue to work the case.

The day after the attacks homicide detectives arrested Tyrone Woodfork, 20, in connection to the attack. He is charged with First-Degree Murder.

Detectives believe he is one of the three to five suspects.

On Friday, they released surveillance photos of two people seen in a stolen vehicle that was seen around the time of attack in the neighborhood.

They are also waiting on results from DNA found in the home.

If you have any information call Crime Stoppers at (918) 596-COPS (2677) or text a tip to “CRIMES” (274637) and begin your message with “TIP918” or you can submit a tip online at www.tipsubmit.com. Remember you never have to give your name and your tip could lead to a cash reward.

The neighbors in the Strait neighborhood have met with the Crime Commission about starting an Alert Neighbor program.

On Saturday they will meet again the 3300 block of E. Virgin at 4:30 pm. A representative from the mayor’s office, Councilors Jack Henderson and David Patrick are expected to be at the meeting.

Mayor Dewey Bartlett’s spokesperson said the mayor takes every crime serious and said not one crime is more important to the others. They said since April 1st, they have received 33 calls about the Straits and 32 were from people outside of Tulsa.

A group not connected to the Straits are holding a Strait Justice Rally ride on May 12th, at 1:00. It starts at Town pump Lounge at 3330 S. Memorial and end the next morning at 2:00 am.

A Justice for Bob and Nancy Strait Facebook page has also been created by a group not related to the Strait family.

A trust has been set up in Bob and Nancy’s name at Arvest bank.

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