Tulsa Police Officer Indicted For Misdemeanor After Shooting, Wounding Man

A Tulsa Police officer has been indicted by a grand jury for a misdemeanor after an incident in March where the officer shot and wounded a man.

In March, Officer Aaron Russell responded to a call about a man sitting in his car in a neighborhood for hours without moving. When the officer arrived, he said he saw a gun in the car. Reports said the man refused to exit the vehicle and drove off, so Russell fired shots as he drove away.

After body cam footage was reviewed, investigators determined the firearm was an airgun and the charges against the suspect were changed. They also say bodycamera video does not match the initial belief that officer Russell and his partner were assaulted with the car.

The District Attorney presented the case to the Oklahoma Multi-County Grand Jury, which issued an indictment against Russell for misdemeanor reckless handling of a firearm.

Tulsa Police said Russell will remain on leave until the case is complete.