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.
It might be time to take guns away from the cops.
Why would you make a statement like that. Out of all the many thousands of arrest that happened that day there was one cop who killed someone. Taking their guns away has to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard. It would be open season on the police.
LVS, I question how many unarmed citizens are being killed everyday by police? The only reason any of these see the light of day is because someone has a vidio! The cop that shot the man running away 6 times in the back was going to get away with it, only after video evedense did they investigate and the story change.
What about the case in Iowa last month were the cop shot at a dog and killed the owner? No charges? A mistake? Really?
If I shoot at a dog and kill the owner, I would be charded
@sad-I didn’t say there were no bad cops because there is. However, they are by far the exception and not the rule. In most case the police have been justified in doing what they do. That doesn’t mean they don’t make mistakes occasionally. Everyone makes a mistake now and then. You can always call a criminal to help you if you are being robbed or mugged. Let me know how that works out for you.
Crooks just give up? Like the guy who stole the horse in Az? Fell off the horse, laid flat out, gave himself up, was then Tazered, hand cuffed behind his back, and then repeatedly kicked in the head and groin by as many as 10 cops?
Again, only because there was video!
What about the black man that was choked to death by 4 officers for selling a cigerate on a NY street? Unarmed, never resisted, begged for his life, and killed right there.
You and everyone else better open your eyes to what is…