Tulsa Police Officer Shoots Armed Robbery Suspect

Tulsa police have confirmed that an officer-involved shooting took place at a check-cashing business near 51st Street and Harvard Ave. on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday, November 13th 2014, 4:29 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Police Officer Shoots Armed Robbery Suspect

A man has been hospitalized after police said he armed himself, tried to rob a check-cashing business and later was shot by police.

Tulsa police confirmed that an officer-involved shooting took place in the 3700 block E. 51st Street on Thursday afternoon. According to TPD Officer Leland Ashley, a robbery alarm was activated at the Check 'n Go in the Country Club Plaza Shopping Center around 3 p.m., and an officer responded to the scene.

A man who appeared to be holding a gun ran from the officer when she arrived, so she chased him, and at some point, shot him, police said.

Maria Chavez said she witnessed the chase.

"The cop lady was pointing at him with the gun still, telling him to turn around," Chavez said. "So he did, and when he did, he was all [covered] in blood. I couldn't hear exactly what the lady, the cop lady, was telling him. He turned around, did this [gestures the sign of the cross], got on his knees and all of the sudden went all the way to the ground."

EMSA said it transported the 30-year-old man to a local hospital in serious condition. The officer was not injured.

The gun, once recovered by police, turned out to be a pellet gun.

"Shopping for kids clothes, next thing you know you're behind crime scene tape," bystander Ricky Shields said.

TPD is conducting a routine investigation into the shooting.