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Reserve police officer who shot man in back is charged with manslaughter

TULSA, OK – A reserve deputy who shot a black man in the back and claimed it was an accident has been charged with second-degree manslaughter.

On Thursday, April 2, 2015 at approximately 10:17 AM, Tulsa County Reserve Deputy Robert Bates, age 73, (assigned to the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Task Force) was involved in the shooting of a felony suspect, Eric Harris, age 44, in the 2000 block of North Harvard Ave. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bates is white, Harris was black.

According to a news release from the Tulsa Sheriff’s Office, “deputies with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Task Force were conducting a controlled buy of guns and ammunition from a known, convicted felon,” namely, Harris. “After successful completion of the controlled buy, deputies were attempting to take the suspect (Harris) into custody in the Dollar General parking lot when an altercation ensued. The suspect fled on foot North on Harvard as the altercation continued for approximately 75 yards into the Southbound traffic lanes of Harvard. As the suspect continued to struggle with Deputies, the Reserve Deputy discharged his firearm striking the suspect (Harris). The suspect (Harris) was treated at the scene by EMSA ambulance and has been transported to an area hospital.

Harris died from the gunshot at a hospital.

A video of the incident now shows that Bates claimed he was attempting to taser Harris but, he claims accidentally, instead drew his firearm and shot Harris in the back as he lay on the ground.

“Oh, I shot him. I’m sorry,” Bates says after he fired his gun into the man’s back. Harris then claimed to have trouble breathing, and was screaming, “He shot me. Oh my God.”

If convicted, Bates could face between two and four years in prison.

Reserve deputy Robert Bates (Tulsa County Sheriff's Office)
Reserve deputy Robert Bates (Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office)
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