Police: Elderly Man Dead In Tulsa Home Burglary

Tulsa Police say detectives are working overtime after an elderly man was shot and killed in his home.

Officers responded to the home in the 7000 block of East 52nd Street, near 51st and Sheridan, around 4:45 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2018.

They said a burglar broke into the home and killed the 80-year-old homeowner while his 79-year-old wife was in the other room.

Police said they believe it was a random burglary gone wrong.

Detectives said they believe the burglar entered the home through an unlocked window and was looking around when the homeowner went to investigate.

They said the wife woke up when she heard arguing that she thought was outside and called 911 when her husband asked her to.

Police said the two men struggled and the burglary shot the homeowner.

When officers arrived, they saw the man on the floor bleeding and fighting for his life. Officers did CPR, but it was too late. The man died in the living room of his home.

Neighbors in the area said they aren't used to things like this and said they’ll be more aware.

People said they’ll remember the man as the "yard man" because he always spent time on the flowers and decorating during the holidays.

"Really nice man. And, he’s, I can’t believe this is happening here. Just not a neighborhood that is expected," neighbor Ginger McCarthy said.

Police are still working to determine a motive but said they don’t have much information on the gunman.

They said the case could rely on forensic evidence like fingerprints or DNA, but patrol officers are being asked to look at known burglars on their beats to hopefully find a lead.

If anyone has information, they are asked to call Tulsa Police.