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Family Says Officer Shelby is Grieving for Victim's Family

Tulsa Police Department

 

The mother-in-law of a white Oklahoma police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man says her daughter-in-law is grieving for the victim's family and isn't prejudiced.

Lois Shelby told The Associated Press in a phone interview Tuesday that Tulsa officer Betty Shelby "thought she had to protect her own life" when she fatally shot 40-year-old Terence Crutcher last week.

Dozens of protesters have called for Shelby's immediate arrest for her role in Crutcher's shooting Friday, and at least one other protest is planned Tuesday to call for charges against her. Shelby has been on paid leave since the shooting.

Lois Shelby, a retired schoolteacher, says Betty Shelby always wanted to become a police officer.

Betty Shelby declined to comment to The Associated Press on Tuesday and referred all calls to her attorney.