Tulsa Police Identify Murder Victim, Arrest Teenage Suspect

Police have arrested a 16-year-old in Tulsa's latest homicide. They identified the shooting victim as Tomas Rodriguez, 18.

Rodriguez was driving a black Dodge Avenger on Xyler near North New Haven just after 11 a.m. Monday, October 5, 2015, when he was confronted by two pedestrians and shot, according to police.

His car wrecked into a pickup that was parked on the street, and the two pedestrians ran off. Rodriguez died at about 6 p.m. Monday, according to police.

10/5/2015 Related Story: Man Killed In Tulsa Neighborhood Shooting

Sergeant Dave Walker said police identified the 16-year-old male suspect, Keshawn Barnes, after talking to witnesses. They interviewed the teen and released him, but police then gathered enough evidence to take him into custody in the murder, a news release states.

He said they recovered a gun and several shell casings.

Walker said they found evidence that led them to believe Barnes and another juvenile were going to burglarize Rodriguez's home. He said Barnes and the other juvenile ran from the area, but Rodriguez chased them in his car and caught up with them at New Haven and Oswego. 

Walker thanked the people living in the area who came forward and helped police with accurate information.

"This citizen/police cooperation made all the difference in bringing this case to quick resolution," he said.

Walker said the case is similar to other cases "where young people with guns are getting themselves arrested and killed."