Tulsa DA To ‘Pursue Justice’ Against Man Accused Of Shooting TPD Officers

Two men are facing charges over the shooting that killed one Tulsa Police officer and left another seriously injured.

The two have been together in court, but their cases will soon separate, with one facing a quick trial and the other going to a more complicated case, potentially a death penalty trial.

David Ware, the main defendant, was in court on Monday to hear a decision that he can have an attorney at taxpayer expense. He’s accused of firing shots at the officers and killing Sgt. Craig Johnson. Officer Aurash Zarkeshan was shot in the head, but is recovering.

The other man, Matthew Hall, is accused of driving Ware away from the scene and helping get rid of the gun.

He was charged with being an accessory to murder, but that's been changed to accessory to shooting with intent to kill. He will be tried separately, potentially in January.

"The result won't change our prosecution of the cases," Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said. "We're still going to pursue justice on behalf of these officers."

The case against Ware will move more slowly, because it's a potential death penalty case.