By John Dobberstein, Editor
One person was killed and several people were struck by gunfire late Saturday during another mass shooting in Tulsa, the fourth such incident in the last 6 weeks.
Tulsa Traffic Jams reports the incident appeared to center around or near Greenwood Avenue between Archer and Martin Luther King streets.
Officers working at the Juneteenth Festival heard shots ring out, and chaos erupted as people began running in multiple directions, Tulsa police said.
While trying to regain control of the area, a 22-year-old man was struck and killed under the overpass on Greenwood. Seven other individuals, ranging in age from 17 to an elderly woman, were hit by gunfire and transported to local hospitals for treatment.
Currently, at least one 24-year-old man is in critical condition.
Officers cleared the Greenwood area, many people fled into other parts of downtown, causing disturbances throughout the Blue Dome area.
Numerous bars exceeded capacity and called the Tulsa Police Department for assistance in managing the overflow. With help from the Tulsa Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office and a significant presence from TPD personnel, officials were able to stabilize the downtown area.
The crime scene extended over several blocks, and all of Greenwood was closed from the I-244 overpass to John Hope Franklin Boulevard.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) was called in to assist with documenting the crime scene using their FARO unit, while our Crime Scene Investigators collected all the evidence.
Several individuals police interviewed were unwilling to provide much information about the shooters, and others were unsure where the shots had originated.
At this time, police believe there were at least two different shooters, and it remains unclear who the intended targets were.
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols issued a statement Sunday in the wake of the deadly violence, promising more action.
“The recent acts of violence in our city — particularly those occurring downtown — are deeply troubling and unacceptable. These events are showing a pattern of brazen lawlessness by individuals who don’t respect the lives of others or the authority of those tasked to keep people safe,” Nichols said.
“This pattern of violence must be stopped as this city belongs to all of us, and we are strongest when we protect one another. We cannot and will not normalize this kind of harm in our community.
“That being said, I have directed our police chief and public safety team to intensify their efforts downtown and across the city. At the same time, we’re investing in long-term strategies to address the root causes of violence — through youth outreach and community-based violence intervention. I will also be announcing new measures tomorrow on how we will be taking back our city from this harm.”
“Today, my prayers are with the victims and their families who were caught up in these senseless acts of violence and those involved in these violent acts will be held accountable.”
Early Saturday, at about 12:40 a.m., another mass shooting occurred at an abandoned warehouse at 122nd East Ave. and Admiral Boulevard that led to at least 6 gunshot wound victims and several others who suffered injuries during the melee.
Tulsa police said about 500 people were attending a party at the building that was being used as an event center, when multiple shooters opened fire. Shots were fired outside the warehouse and from 122nd E. Ave toward the parking lot, including .223 rounds from a rifle, with partygoers caught in the crossfire.
The majority of the shooting victims were aged 17 and 18, with one victim being 21. Most victims refused to answer questions, and many were unable to provide any information about the suspects. A rundown of the victims in this incident:
• One victim sustained a gunshot wound to the left arm
• One victim sustained a gunshot wound to the right calf
• One female victim sustained a gunshot wound to the pelvic area
• Two victims sustained gunshot wounds to the leg
• One victim was grazed by a bullet to the abdomen
• One victim, taking cover under a vehicle, was run over when the vehicle started, and was treated at a hospital.
Additionally, a female partygoer severely cut her arm on razor wire while climbing a chain-link fence to escape and was taken to a hospital by a friend. And another individual hit a parked vehicle while fleeing the scene
Police added an 18-year-old male partygoer reported an AR-15 rifle stolen from his vehicle during the party. It’s unknown if it was used in the incident.
“By some miracle, nobody was fatally wounded in the volley of gunfire,” the department said.
Another mass shooting happened Thursday night at Cry Baby Hill. Police responded to a disturbance at an Airbnb in the 1300 block of S. Elwood Avenue, where a house party was in progress with an estimated 50-100 people in attendance. Officers arrived promptly and dispersed the gathering.
Shortly after, at 11:06 p.m., officers were again dispatched to a QuikTrip in the 1400 block of S. Denver Avenue to address a situation involving 50-60 juveniles blocking traffic and refusing to leave. Officers successfully managed to disperse that crowd.
Later that night, around 1:14 AM, multiple reports of gunshots were received from the area of 1300 S. Jackson Avenue, also known as “Cry Baby Hill.”
As officers arrived, victims began arriving at the hospital by private vehicles. Victims included one individual with a gunshot wound to the neck, another with a wound to the foot, and a third who suffered an abdominal injury, police said.
At the shooting scene, Officers encountered a large group of 50-100 juveniles. They found a vehicle at the intersection of 13th and Jackson with multiple bullet holes and shattered windows.
The driver indicated they were not in the vehicle during the shooting and had been in the parking lot at 13th and Lawton when the incident occurred.
In the parking lot of 1300 S. Lawton Avenue, officers discovered several shell casings and a magazine. A fourth victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the left elbow, was located nearby but was uncooperative and refused first aid. This individual was transported by EMSA.
Investigation of the scene along 13th Street between Jackson and Lawton revealed additional shell casings of various calibers.
A disturbance also broke out at OSU Medical Center as partygoers gathered, leading to two arrests for trespassing when individuals refused to leave. Officers were able to successfully disperse that crowd as well.
“Fortunately, all of the victims have non-life-threatening injuries and will recover from their wounds,” TPD said in a statement. “Please, please, please talk to your children and try to keep them from getting caught up in situations like this.”
In early May, another mass shooting occurred near 2nd Street and Elgin Avenue in downtown Tulsa that resulted in 1 death and several injuries. Anyone with information in any of these cases is asked to contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.
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