Motive In Business Shooting Unclear

Tulsa police are looking for a man who entered an east Tulsa business and shot an employee in the head Thursday morning.

Thursday, September 4th 2008, 10:51 am

By: News On 6

By Craig Day, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A former TU football player and longtime Tulsa businessman is in critical condition after being shot in the head. The shooting happened at an East Tulsa business Thursday morning near 31st and 108th Street just east of Highway 169. Investigators are looking for the gunman and for answers.

Tulsa police say a hooded man with a handgun walked into the Retail Fuels marketing office, went right past the receptionist and into another office and fired the gun.

"Entered the business, and went to this employee's location, and shot him at least once," said TPD Officer Leland Ashley.

The victim, 63-year-old Neal Sweeney, the president of the company, was shot in the head.

Sweeney is a former University of Tulsa football player from the 1960's, a member of TU's Athletic Hall of Fame and played one season with the Denver Broncos.

None of the other employees inside the business were injured.

"The individual was last seen getting into a white cargo type van headed eastbound from this location," said Officer Ashley.

That suspect is in his early 20's, 5'10" tall. He was wearing a black or grey hoodie, with blue jeans and white tennis shoes. Police hope surveillance cameras in the area give them a better look at the gunman.

"A lot of these businesses, they do have equipment so that will be another angle that we'll look at," said Officer Ashley.

While officers gathered evidence, investigators are working to determine a motive. They aren't sure if the gunman knew the victim, but the shooting is odd, considering it happened in an industrial office complex, rather than a retail business where cash would be on hand.

"Covering everything, knocking on doors, canvassing the business here. The other businesses that are around here, just trying to see if anyone maybe saw a tag number or any other information that we can gather," said Officer Ashley.

Anyone with information about the shooting should call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS. All callers remain anonymous and could earn a cash reward.