Police Believe Fatal Tulsa Shooting To Be Gang Related

<p>Tulsa police made an arrest in the murder a man who was shot in the head in west Tulsa.</p>

Thursday, March 3rd 2016, 8:17 pm

By: News On 6


Tulsa police made an arrest in the murder a man who was shot in the head in west Tulsa.

Tulsa police believe Shane Vanderpool shot and killed Blaine Wells near the intersection of 51st and Union on February 21.

2/23/2016 Related Story: Tulsa Shooting Victim Pronounced Dead

According to the arrest warrant, investigators say the shooting may be an incident between the Aryan Brotherhood and the Irish Mob.

Police said they initially received information the shooting may have been a result of a drug transaction, but through the investigation, they learned more about the gang rivalry and found Vanderpool as a suspect.

Tulsa Police sergeant, Dave Walker, said they found Vanderpool around noon on Thursday in a Chevrolet Impala near the 2700 block of South Memorial. He said when patrol officers tried to pull him over, Vanderpool drove away.

Walker said officers lost Vanderpool near 2400 South 101 East Avenue but found him running near 3100 South 101 East Avenue. He was eventually taken into custody by K-9 officers near the exit to 31st Street from Highway 169.

Police said they were able to get enough evidence and arrest Vanderpool for Wells' murder. He was also arrested for other warrants.

Walker said they are still investigating and ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.

Wells’ family said he was in the backseat of the car and believes the driver was the intended target. They said he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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