By John Dobberstein, Editor
The Tulsa Police Department is actively investigating two recent incidents of sexual assault at city parks, but detectives cannot yet say they are related.
On Thursday at Hunter Park, 5800 E. 91st St., police responded to a report of an assault. The victim said a white male in his 40s or 50s approached her while she was walking in a wooded area of the park.
The suspect physically attacked the victim and sexually assaulted her. She sustained injuries and was found by two other people in the park, who called 911.
On Monday at 10 p.m., Tulsa police responded to a reported rape at Turkey Mountain. The victim said she was walking the trails when a large male attacked her, pulled off her clothing, and raped her.
The victim was able to get away from the suspect after a fight, and she ran toward the main parking area. She was taken to the hospital for a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) exam.
A Tulsa Police helicopter, a Tulsa PD K-9 and other officers set up a perimeter and searched the park for several hours but did not find the suspect.
The victim reported it was very dark at the time of the attack, but she believed the suspect to be 6 feet to 6-feet 3-inches tall with a heavyset build.
On Friday, the Tulsa police said that while the two assaults are similar, “we are not conclusively able to link the two right now. However, we are not eliminating the possibility that the suspect is the same in both incidents.”
Police said Tulsans should be extra cautious when out and about they recommend people use the “buddy system,” as there is safety in numbers. “We also recommend that people consider some method of self-defense, such as pepper spray or other items.”
Police are actively investigating the incidents and encourage anyone with information about Thursday’s assault to contact the TPD’s Special Victim’s Unit at 918-596-9168, or email SpecialVictimsUnit@cityoftulsa.org. You can always remain anonymous and call Tulsa Crime Stoppers at (918) 596-COPS
Anyone with information about the Turkey Mountain case should call Tulsa Crime Stoppers and reference case 2025-042322.
Laurel Roberts, the city’s Commission on Public Safety, said the recent assaults “are unacceptable and cannot happen in our city. The Mayor’s Office supports and stands with the Tulsa Police Department and our law enforcement partners to bring these heinous acts of violence to an end and the perpetrators to justice.
“As we look to enhance safety at our parks, we are actively working with the Real Time Information Center to deploy additional security cameras to both Hunter Park and Turkey Mountain. Additional city security patrols are also planned across the parks system.
“This kind of violence has no place in Tulsa, and we will take back our public spaces. We stand with the victims, and we commend their strong perseverance through this difficult time.”
Tulsa Parks is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation, said Anna America, Tulsa Parks director. “We are deeply disturbed by the recent incident at Hunter Park and our hearts go out to the victim. We commend the victim’s courage during this terrifying situation and are thankful for those who called 911. We take the safety of our visitors very seriously and will continue working with our partners to support a safe environment in our parks.”
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