TULSA, Okla. — Authorities have released video showing the fatal encounter of a black suspect with a white reserve sheriff’s deputy who police said thought he was holding a stun gun instead of his handgun when he shot the man during a recent arrest in Tulsa.
The video of the April 2 incident shows a Tulsa County deputy chase and tackle Eric Harris, 44, whom they accuse of trying to sell an illegal gun to an undercover officer.
A deputy is heard telling Harris, “I need you to roll on your stomach.” At about the same time, a woman is heard in the background saying “Stop fighting.”
While the deputy is subduing Harris on the ground, a gunshot rings out and a man says, “Oh, I shot him. I’m sorry.”
Authorities have identified the shooter as 73-year-old reserve deputy Robert Bates, and that he meant to use his stun gun.
Harris was treated by medics at the scene and eventually died in a Tulsa hospital.
The video was released over the weekend after Harris’ family requested that it be made public. It was recorded by deputies with sunglass cameras, said Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office officials. They said Bates thought he was holding a Taser and intended to incapacitate Harris when the fatal shot was fired.
Prosecutors will decide whether to file criminal charges. An attorney for the family, Dan Smolen, did not immediately return a telephone call Sunday seeking comment.
