TPD: Tulsa Is On Its Way To A Record Number Of Homicides For 2016

Tulsa is on its way to a record number of homicides this year.

Tulsa had its 71st homicide of the year this weekend, which tied the record set in 2009. 

Tulsa's homicide sergeant said the main reason for the increase is drugs, drug-related robberies, drug-related disputes and drug addicts using guns to solve their problems. He said of the 71 homicides this year, not one of them involved a random stranger. 

"They can't figure out an adult way to figure it out, talk it out or just leave. They shoot it out and that's just ridiculous," said 

Dave Walker, Tulsa Police Department Homicide Sergeant. 

In the past, if Tulsa had a cluster of homicides during one part of the year, it would later level out. Walker said it never leveled out this year. He said most of it is drug related.

"I think that's the biggest thing we're seeing. Our victims and suspects know each other and they are drug addicted and armed."

He said 54 victims died from gunshot wounds. Eight from beatings and five from stabbings. 

The rest were cars, asphyxiation or shaken baby syndrome. 

Nine of this year's homicides are considered justifiable and several more are under review. They've solved 91 percent of the cases.

"Tulsa's used to not seeing this type of violence out on the streets," Walker said. 

When all 71 homicides are broken down by zip code, the top three are: 74106 with 10, 74115 with seven and 74126 with six of this year's homicides.

Walker says despite the big number this year, Tulsa still has far more good people, than bad.

"Tulsa's still a vibrant, healthy, happy city, but, we've got our issues," Walker said. 

He said he's not sure what the solution is to turn these numbers around, but, he believes finding a way to reach people who are living a drug lifestyle and making poor decisions, is key.