Tulsa DA Says Use Of Deadly Force By Police Officer Justified

Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris has ruled that a recent use of deadly force by a Tulsa police officer was justified.

Starks, 27, was shot and killed during a drug raid March 24 in the 200 block of East Young Street. Police Officer Mark Wollmershauser was identified as the TPD officer who shot Starks after the suspect reportedly refused to follow orders to show officers his hands.

Police believed the suspect had a gun and that their lives were at risk, Harris said in a news release Friday.

4/5/2014 Related Story: Concerned Tulsans Rally After Fatal Police Shooting

"The death of Deandre Starks is a tragic event and I grieve for him, his family and our community," Harris said.

"Our examination of the facts, witness statements and investigation, lead to the conclusion that the use of deadly force was justified under the circumstances and the law."

The investigation later showed that Starks did not have a gun but did have crack cocaine. He tried to break out a window in the back of the house to escape but was driven back into the house by the use of "less than lethal" pepper balls, the release states.