Tulsa Co. Security Guard Accused Of Manslaughter Has History of Trouble, Police Say

Tulsa Police said the security guard arrested on accusations of manslaughter over the weekend worked in the Tulsa County Jail for 13 years and got into trouble more than once.

Police said the security guard, Christopher Straight, shot and killed a man during a fight at the Knight’s Inn Motel near 11th and Garnett.

Documents from the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office show Christopher Straight was disciplined four times during his 13 years there before resigning in 2018.

The sheriff's office says Straight started in 2005 but, just three months later, he was demoted. Records show he was put on administrative leave in 2011 and just two years later, was suspended for five days without pay. It was at this time he was told "your behavior as an officer has compromised the professionalism of the Sheriff’s Office and will not be tolerated again for any reason.”

Records show in 2018, he was demoted and chose to resign. His resignation letter said in part, “I have tried to set a good example for the troops and to go above and beyond in boosting morale.”

Tulsa Police say Straight was working as a security guard at a motel near 11th and Garnett when the fight occurred. Documents say after exchanging words at the motel, the victim walked back towards the motel property when Straight sprayed the victim with pepper spray. Documents say the victim assaulted Straight and that’s when Straight pulled a gun and shot him. Tulsa Police arrested Straight after he was accused of manslaughter.

"He's not really doing self defense when you assault somebody. When you start the fight you don't really have self defense as an argument. That's the case in this. He gets manslaughter because he created the fight that led to the death of the victim,” says Lt. Brandon Watkins with Tulsa Police.

Straight was booked into jail for first degree manslaughter but has since bonded out. News On 6 contacted him about an interview but have yet to hear back.