Former Police Officer Turned Attorney Shares Insight On Officer Shooting

A former Tulsa police officer who’s now an attorney, is giving insight to the traffic stop that left an officer dead and another one severely injured.

Tulsa Police released the body cam and dash cam video of David Ware shooting Sergeant Craig Johnson and Officer Aurash Zarkeshan. Attorney Scott Wood is an expert in use of force and said traffic stops are one of the most dangerous things a police officer can do.

They never know what they’re dealing with or what could happen. He said it makes him angry that what should’ve been a minor traffic stop, led to an officer being killed.

Related Story: Expert Says Footage Of Officer Shooting Difficult But Shows Officers’ Reality

Tulsa Police said the two officers told David Ware to get out of the car more than 40 times, before using force.

"The officers gave him numerous, numerous commands and a lot of time to reach the right decision, to get out of the vehicle,” said Wood.

TPD said the officers warned Ware seven times, before tasing him.

"A lot of people think a taser is a magical deal, you just pull the trigger and they go down, and that is not the case,” said Wood.

He said these officers did what they are trained to do, but after struggling with Ware, Ware grabbed a gun and shot both officers.

"It's hard to gain control over someone who doesn't want to be controlled,” said Wood.

"This is seemingly a nothing traffic stop for an expired tag, cars going to be towed, that you just wouldn't expect this kind of thing to happen."

Wood said traffic stops can be extremely dangerous because each time, you’re walking into an unknown.

"It's kind of like sticking your hand down in a barrel, full of different kind of bugs. Probably going to get a June bug or a grasshopper, but you could get a scorpion too,” said Wood. “You don't know. You do not know who is in the car."

Wood said it’s critical for citizens to follow an officer’s commands in order to keep everyone safe.

"They either didn't do anything, or they did too much. You can't have it both ways,” Wood said. “Police need to be allowed to do their job and enforce the law and keep the peace.”

News On 6 will not be releasing the raw videos and we will not be showing the shooting at all.

This is our policy with all shootings.