Tulsa Police: Innocent Bystander Killed

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A wheelchair-bound man was killed during a drive-by shooting in north Tulsa on Wednesday afternoon.  The shooting happened at Apache and Cincinnati, and Tulsa Police believe the victim was an innocent bystander.

Detectives swarmed a north Tulsa Shell station shortly after 2:30 p.m.  Police say two men were targeted, and a third was shot, during a drive-by.

"We have no idea.  Like I said, we don't know if it was random, if they thought these guys were someone else, if there was an altercation somewhere else. We really don't know at this time," said Tulsa Police Captain Karen Tipler.

Tulsa Police believes someone in a red Ford Explorer opened fire on two men.  One was hit in the leg and is in fair condition.  The other took off.  Police say the suspects then shot 54-year-old Norris Walton.

"Another gentleman who was hit, he was in a wheelchair.  He was hit by a barrage of bullets, maybe four or five shots that rang out," said Tulsa Police Captain Karen Tipler.

Witnesses took Walton across the street to the Glass House liquor store. 

First responders performed CPR on Walton, but he later died. 

Police say Walton was a bystander, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Liquor store customers say Walton was a regular there, and a harmless guy.

Detectives are surprised the gunfire erupted in broad daylight, and say they are now focused on finding Walton's killer.

"It's very rare that this happens in Tulsa.  So, definitely trying to get folks and information because a lot of people were around, but as we talk to witnesses, they were doing other things, not paying attention," said Tulsa Police Captain Karen Tipler.

Tulsa Police believe there were four people in the red Explorer, two white women and two black men.

Walton's death is Tulsa's third homicide of 2009.

Anyone who knows anything about the shooting can call Crime Stoppers at 596-COPS or text TIP918 plus the information to CRIMES.