Tulsa Police Say Man Died After Trying To Confront Vehicle Thief

A man is dead after Tulsa Police say he was shot, then crashed into a utility pole while driving himself to the hospital.

Police say the victim was shot while chasing after a man he thought was trying to break into cars at the Sandy Park Apartments in West Tulsa. Investigators say the victim and his girlfriend confronted the man who police believe was trying to break into cars outside the victim’s apartment, but he ran off.

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Police say the victim and his girlfriend chased after the suspected thief, then shots were fired.

Tulsa Police say they responded to shots fired call at the apartment complex a little after one Wednesday morning, then to a crash down the street.

"When they got there they found the victim, with gunshot wounds inside the wrecked car,” said Lieutenant Brandon Watkins with Tulsa Police. Homicide.

Police say they learned the victim and his girlfriend got into their car to chase after a person they thought tried to break into cars when they encountered a group of people at the apartment. Officers say there was an argument and the suspect pulled a gun and fired shots, hitting the victim.

Police say the victim tried to drive himself to the hospital but lost control of the car, crashed, and later died at the hospital. Officers encourage everyone to think twice before taking matters into their own hands.

"It is just best not to do that. You just don't know who is willing to do what to getaway. It is always best to just call the police. I know sometimes it feels like it takes forever for an officer to respond but you can run across the wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time of night and it could be your life,” said Watkins.

Police say the victim's girlfriend was also taken to the hospital for minor injuries from the crash, but she is expected to be okay. If you have any information about the shooting or a possible suspect, call Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.