An off-duty Tulsa County Sheriff’s deputy shot a man Monday afternoon after authorities say the man pulled out a firearm and fired during a pedestrian check along a busy section of East 41st Street near South Sheridan Road in midtown Tulsa.
The encounter began at approximately 12:37 p.m. when the deputy, who was driving home, noticed a man walking along the roadway and weaving between active lanes of traffic. Concerned that the man could be struck by a passing vehicle, the deputy pulled over near a Buffalo Wild Wings to check on him.
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Roebuck said the deputy also became concerned because the man appeared to be concealing something underneath his shirt. What began as a welfare and safety check quickly escalated when the man allegedly produced a firearm and fired.
The deputy returned fire, striking the man and leaving him with serious injuries. Roebuck said investigators recovered at least several shell casings believed to have come from the suspect’s firearm and confirmed that the deputy also discharged his weapon.
The deputy was not injured during the exchange, and authorities said no bystanders were struck by gunfire. Emergency medical personnel transported the suspect to a nearby hospital for treatment.
As required under standard department procedures, the deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The administrative leave is part of the investigative process and does not by itself indicate wrongdoing.
The shooting caused significant disruption along the busy midtown corridor as multiple law enforcement agencies and emergency responders arrived at the scene. Authorities closed East 41st Street between South Sheridan Road and Interstate 44 while investigators processed the area and gathered evidence.
The closure resulted in substantial traffic delays for motorists traveling through the area. Mark Prestage, a driver caught in the congestion, said he was struck by the unusually large number of emergency vehicles responding to the scene.
Employees at Trident Collision Repair, located across the street from where the shooting occurred, initially believed the sound of gunfire was a vehicle backfiring. Employee Tyler Byrd said workers went outside to determine what was happening and saw an officer with a firearm drawn shortly before the confrontation ended.
Byrd said the incident was unexpected because it happened so close to the business. He also expressed the view that the deputy’s response may have helped prevent the situation from escalating further, particularly because of the number of people and businesses in the surrounding area.
Investigators remained at the scene Monday afternoon as they interviewed witnesses and sought additional evidence. Detectives were also checking with nearby businesses for surveillance footage that could help establish a detailed timeline of the encounter and clarify what happened before the shots were fired.
Officials with Bishop Kelley High School said students and staff remained safe throughout the emergency response. The school was not considered to be in danger during the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing. As of Monday evening, authorities had not publicly released the suspect’s identity or provided an update on his medical condition. Further information is expected as investigators continue reviewing witness statements, physical evidence and available surveillance footage.
