Sheriff's Office Identifies Man Killed By Turley Homeowner

By Emory Bryan and NewsOn6.com

TULSA COUNTY -- The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office has identified the intruder who was shot and killed by Turley homeowner, Michael Lish, late Thursday night. The sheriff's office says the intruder was Billy Jean Tiffey III, 19.

The incident happened at a home in the 6000 block of North Owasso just after 10 p.m.

According to Tulsa County sheriff's deputies, a couple was entering the home through the back door when they heard a noise in the master bedroom.

Deputies say the homeowner went to the bedroom and confronted the intruder.

"He walked in until he got close to the master bedroom, at that time he saw a burglar in the house, the burglar was carrying a sword that belonged to a homeowner, approached the homeowner, the homeowner told him to stop, pulled out his gun, guy didn't stop, and shot him," said TCSO Captain John Bowman.

Bowman says the intruder then reached for a gun in his pocket, so the homeowner fired two more shots, striking the man in the chest, killing him.

Detectives from the sheriff's office found Tiffey dead in a hallway of the home, and besides the sword by his side, say he did have other weapons with him.

"He had a .38 caliber handgun in his pocket, he had the homeowners 9mm handgun, a stun gun and a knife," said Sgt. Shannon Clark, Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.

Tiffey was recently released from the Tulsa County Jail and has a record of drug offenses and driving under the influence. 

Those court records show Tiffey's last arrest was in February. 

Deputies questioned the homeowner, but did not arrest him because it appears to be self-defense, and though it's not an issue in this case, the homeowner does have a concealed carry permit. 

Deputies say the homeowner did not know the suspect and the homeowners were not injured.