Police chase ends with fatal shooting

Tulsa Police say a fatal shooting could have been avoided. They say all the suspect had to do was follow their commands. <br><br>Police say 33-year old Tony Richardson stole a truck in Catoosa. He then

Monday, June 30th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Police say a fatal shooting could have been avoided. They say all the suspect had to do was follow their commands.

Police say 33-year old Tony Richardson stole a truck in Catoosa. He then took officers on a 100-mile an hour chase before bailing out at an east Tulsa Apartment complex. They say Richardson broke into a second truck. When officers spotted him, he threatened to kill them, and wouldn't follow their commands.

Tulsa Police homicide unit, Sgt Mike Huff, "The officer busted out the window to try to gain access. He kept saying he had a gun and wasn't going to be taken alive. As the officer was retreating, he sprayed his OC spray in the rear window to get him to comply.â€

Officer Josh Martin fired twice and killed Richardson. Richardson was released from prison in February. He'd served time off and on since 1991 for car theft, burglary and escape from Rogers, Osage, Mayes, Tulsa and Creek Counties.

Officer Martin has been on the force for two years. He was involved in another shooting that was ruled suicide by cop.