Witnesses Share Conflicting Accounts Of Friday's Officer-Involved Shooting

The Tulsa Police Department has not yet released the names of the officers or victim from Friday's police-involved shooting that left a 58-year-old man dead.   

But already, there are conflicting accounts of what led to the man's death and conflicting opinions by witnesses on whether lethal force was necessary.

So far, all witness accounts of people that have spoken with News On 6 claim the suspect police shot and killed did have a knife in his hand and he did refuse orders from police. 

But, not all witnesses believe he deserved lethal force.

Witness Deryl Keifer says, "He wasn't harming nobody. Yes, he pulled it on somebody. No, he didn't stick nobody with it. He just had it out."

"He wanted to die,” said another witness. “He wanted to die. It's over."

Same scene, different opinions, but it was chaotic right from the start.

That taser didn't even stop him," said an eyewitness. 

Witness Allen Crane says, “[The suspect] never tried to come at [police] or nothing."

Police say shortly before 5 p.m. Friday evening, multiple people called reporting a man with a knife threatening two people trying to sell a car near Utica and Admiral.

"They were confronted by an individual with a knife," said officer Leland Ashley.

Police arrived on scene and found the suspect. Police say after refusing verbal command the suspect was tased.

Officer Ashley said, "He was aggressing one of the officers, and both officers fired."

Witness cell phone video shows the shooting. News On 6 is not showing the moment of the fatal shots but people who were there have different opinions on whether the man deserved to die.

Related Story: Tulsa Witness' Cell Phone Video Captures Officer-Involved Shooting

"There was no reason to shoot him,” said witness Lewis Cobb. “I mean, they could have just asked him nicely 'hey man, there's no reason to walk around with a knife,' but they just tased him and shot him three times."  

Still another witness says he didn't think the suspect was trying to follow police orders.

Witnesses are heard talking near the camera.

One asks,"Is he dead?" Another says, "He should have dropped that knife."

Then a witness asks, "They kill him?" Another witness then responds, "They had to, they, I don't know if he dead, but they had to."  

TPD says they have notified next of kin but are waiting to release the name of the deceased and the officers involved until Monday.