Police Need Cooperation To Solve Case

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK - The Tulsa Police Homicide Squad is working to find out who's behind Sunday's senseless shootings.  Four teenage boys were shot while on their way home from church.  One of them, 16-year-old Donovan Crutcher, has died.  He becomes Tulsa's 35th homicide victim of the year.

Police say the case is shocking, outlandish and unacceptable.  They say the victims are good kids, who were leaving church and the whole thing might've started over somebody sitting next to a girl that somebody else likes.  Now, ministers and the mayor are making a plea for help.

Police say some of the victims who were pulled from a bullet-riddled car, near Cincinnati and Independence, had been just come from church and were getting a ride home from friends.

"They had just dropped somebody off and were going to deliver another kid home when this car came out of nowhere up Cincinnati and started shooting at them with an assault rifle," said Tulsa Police Sgt. Mike Huff.

One teen was not hit, but the other four were.  Jeremy Williams, brothers Donovan and Adrion Crutcher and Central High football player Jahmal Bryant suffered injuries.

Despite the fact the victims are not troublemakers and the shooting happened in broad daylight on a busy street, police are not getting any tips and they know why.

"There's a subculture of no snitching which means no one help the police.  No matter what. I'm, quite frankly, sick of that," said Tulsa Police Sgt. Mike Huff.

The police are so sick of it, they plan to put people in jail who have information about the case, but don't share it.  They are not the only ones who are frustrated with the violence among young people.

North Tulsa ministers, the mayor and a city councilor all joined together to call for an end to the violence.

"We come here as clergy and elected officials say we've had enough," said North Peoria Church of Christ Pastor Warren Blakeney.

"I am sick and tired of going to young people's funerals. Every time I turn around, I'm going to somebody's funeral, 18, 15, 14, 16, that's sad," said Tulsa City Councilor Jack Henderson.

"Please help us by solving this crime and helping us by mentoring these kids who need help," said Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor.

All the community leaders are urging anyone with information to call the police.

If you are scared, call the Crimestoppers' line at 596-COPS.  The number is answered in Canada, so no one will ever know who you are, which means you cannot be called to testify.  Plus, you could earn a $1,500 reward.

The shooters were driving a 1990's gray Chevy Caprice four-door.

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09/07/2008  Drive-By Leaves Four Injured