The shocking twist took place in Season 4, Episode 5, just as it looked like everything in Oscar’s life was falling perfectly into place which made his sudden death all of the more heartbreaking.
Oscar had returned to his home in Freeridge in a bid to get his younger brother Cesar (Diego Tinoco) to move with him and his girlfriend, Isabela (Andrea Cortés) to Portland. The move would guarantee them a fresh start, leaving their gangster lifestyle behind.
However, things did not go to plan as Cesar was shot dead on his doorstep in a drive-by shooting. He died in Cesar’s arms.
Why Did Oscar Die in ‘On My Block’ Season 4?
Julio Macias who played Oscar in three seasons of On My Block shed some insight in conversation with Hollywood Life about why Oscar’s life had to come to an end in such a tragic way. He explained Oscar’s life was always going to end this way, whether he escaped the Santos gang or not.
“I think that he never had this illusion that he was going to get out scratch-free. He knew that at some point it was going to catch up with him,” said Macias said.
He shared how Oscar’s final act of trying to help others was not for them entirely, but also for himself as he knew time was running out.
“I think, again, it was a little bit more selfish than making sure that everything [and] everyone was okay. I think it was more I don’t know when it’s going to catch up with me, but in the time that I have from now until that moment, I’m going to enjoy the rest of my life.”
Macias continued: “Because having a kid and starting a family knowing that this might be around the corner, it’s kind of selfish. It’s not looking forward. It’s not looking out for the best interest of either the love of his life or his kid. But in a weird way, I think he deserved this little chunk of happiness.”
Macias also revealed he knew about Oscar’s fate the second the scripts for Season 4 were ready and was happy about the way Oscar’s story was going to be told.
He shared: “I was pleasantly surprised when they said we’re going to show what it’s like for someone like this to get out [of a gang] and enjoy it as much as he can for the time that he can. I mean, it’s been shown before. This is not the very first show that showed this, but for this generation, they haven’t seen something like this or as accessible as On My Block is, so I’m happy to contribute it to that ongoing conversation.”
Regardless of the rational reason behind Oscar’s death, fans have been left devastated.
One fan tweeted: “no bye because Oscar DID NOT deserve this ending. No one talk to me I’m in mourning #OnMyBlock.”
A second fan added: “After what happened to Oscar I don’t care about the rest of the episodes I’m done #OnMyBlock” while a second fan added: “No one talk to me, Oscar deserved better #OnMyBlock #OnmyBlockseason4”
Who Killed Oscar ‘Spooky’ Diaz in ‘On My Block’?
Unfortunately, Oscar’s killer was never revealed in the final season of On My Block, a deliberate move by the writers, Macias said.
He explained to Hollywood Life, Oscar never revealed the identity of his killer as he feared that if Cesar knew the attacker, he would continue down the life of crime by taking revenge instead of getting himself out of the Santos gang.
However, it is most likely his killer was a rival gang member if Ray’s (Ian Casselberry) comments are anything to go by.
Ray explained to Cesar, who was left determined to avenge his brother’s killers, Oscar was “in the life,” meaning he had enemies from rival gangs that would have wanted him dead for eternity and therefore, his death was inevitable.
On My Block is streaming on Netflix now.
