Published: October 14, 2008 10:36 pm      

Funeral for slain Edmond student scheduled

EDMOND — Manuel Serrato had been coming to Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Portland Campus on weekends.

Earlier this year, the Santa Fe High School senior told a Francis Tuttle math teacher he wanted to be an “A” student, and he asked what he needed to do to make that happen.

The teacher encouraged Serrato to start coming on Saturday afternoons for tutoring. He did.

Last weekend, Serrato didn’t show up. The 18-year-old was fatally wounded by Geovanni Rodrigo Palacios, 17, a junior at Edmond North High School. Monday night, Palacios was in the Oklahoma County Jail, facing a murder complaint.

Serrato’s parents were preparing to bury their son. Funeral services for Serrato are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N. Portland.

Edmond Public Schools Associate Superintendent Brenda Lyons issued a statement, through which she said counselors were at both high schools, available to speak with students and staff members.

“We are deeply saddened by the events of the weekend that led to the death of Manuel Serrato,” Lyons said.

Danny King, assistant director of Francis Tuttle’s Portland Campus, said the story about Serrato wanting to be an “A” student speaks highly of his character and his work ethic as a student.

“He was just a wonderful student, helpful to everyone, mature beyond his years,” King said.

Serrato was attending Francis Tuttle’s Engineering Academy, pursuing his dream, which included possibly becoming a petroleum engineer, King said.

“He will definitely be missed,” King said. “It was an honor to have him as a student.”

At Santa Fe, Serrato was a soccer player who was looking forward to the coming season.

In the U.S. legal system, all suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.