TULSA, Okla. — A chaotic scene unfolded early Sunday morning in downtown Tulsa, leaving one man dead and six others injured following an officer-involved shooting. The Tulsa Police Department reported that the incident began shortly after 12:30 a.m. when a large crowd gathered at East 2nd Street and South Elgin Avenue and began to escalate in hostility.
Initial reports indicate that officers were already present in the area when they requested additional assistance as the crowd became unruly. A disturbance broke out, with multiple individuals firing weapons both into and out of the group. Amid the turmoil, a police officer observed one man actively shooting into the crowd and initiated a pursuit.
As officers pursued the suspect, he fled the scene wielding a semi-automatic pistol. The situation intensified as officers engaged the man, ultimately discharging their weapons while he attempted to escape. During the chaos, additional gunfire erupted from the crowd, complicating efforts to provide aid.
While officers were tending to the wounded suspect, gunfire continued. They subsequently came under threat from another individual, identified as 21-year-old Thurman Wilson, who was armed with a semi-automatic pistol. Officers from a different position deemed this man a threat and fired upon him, resulting in his injuries.
Despite attempts to save Wilson, he succumbed to his wounds at the scene. Authorities confirmed that at least five other individuals suffered injuries from the crossfire. All victims have been hospitalized and are receiving treatment; however, none have been reported deceased.
Investigators suspect additional victims may have been involved, and the scope of the incident could widen as officials gather more information. The Tulsa Police Department’s Crime Scene Unit collected several firearms, spent casings, and evidence from the location, as stray bullets struck nearby buildings. The police are collaborating with local business owners affected by the damage.
In response to the shooting, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave as part of standard protocol. Evidence related to the incident will be forwarded to the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office, which will conduct a thorough review of the officers’ actions throughout the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities plan to release further details as they become available. Local residents are left shaken by the violence, highlighting concerns over public safety in such gatherings.