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Attorney: Shelby Felt Threatened

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An attorney representing a white Tulsa police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man says his client opened fire after the man reached through the window of his SUV.

Dashcam and aerial footage showing Officer Betty Shelby's shooting of 40-year-old Terence Crutcher on Friday doesn't offer a clear angle leading up to the shooting, but Crutcher's hands are in the air. Tulsa police say Crutcher didn't have a gun.

Shelby's attorney, Scott Wood, says the encounter unfolded for about 2 minutes before the video footage begins. Shelby didn't activate her patrol car's dashcam.

Wood tells the Tulsa World that Shelby says Crutcher repeatedly ignored officers' commands. He says Shelby opened fire and another officer used a stun gun when Crutcher's "left hand goes through the car window."

State and federal investigations into the shooting death are underway. Shelby is on paid administrative leave.