By John Dobberstein, Editor
Tulsa police officers were forced to shoot and kill a man Sunday who they say ambushed them while they were rendering aid to a previous shooting victim.
Around 3 p.m., police were called to a shooting near 56th Street and Harvard Avenue met with two people who were jogging in the neighborhood in front of Eisenhower Elementary School. One of the joggers had been shot in the leg, but neither of them saw the shooter, officers said.
As officers applied a tourniquet to the victim, Tulsa Fire and EMSA personnel arrived on the scene. Unbeknownst to the officers, the suspect was parked behind the fire truck and was sneaking back onto the street.
While the officers, firefighters EMSA personnel and civilian witnesses were tending to the victim, the suspect emerged from behind the fire trucks and began firing at everyone present.
Officers quickly shifted from providing first aid to returning fire at the suspect. After a brief exchange of gunfire, the suspect retreated back to his car.
The suspect then fled in his vehicle, prompting officers to pursue him. He drove south on Harvard and entered a neighborhood on 58th Place. The chase wound through residential streets until the suspect drove into a cul-de-sac at 58th and Delaware.
When the car came to a stop, the suspect jumped out with his pistol and fired at the officers again. The officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who died from his injuries.
The suspect, a 30-year-old male, was identified at the scene. However, his name will not be released at this time pending notification of next of kin.
In accordance with standard protocol, the officers involved in the incident will be placed on administrative leave.
The entire investigation will be handed over to the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether the shooting was justified.
“This is a very unusual attack on our officers, and we will provide more information as it becomes available,” TPD said in a statement.
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