Authorities say the Reserve Tulsa County Deputy involved in this week's fatal shooting of a suspect in a string operation, mistook his service weapon for a taser. Deputy Robert Bates is 73-years-old. You may read the Sheriff's Department's initial report below:
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) Investigators are continuing an investigation into yesterday’s shooting involving a reserve deputy assigned to the Tulsa County Violent Crimes Task Force.
The preliminary investigation has determined that on March 26, 2015, the TCSO Violent Crimes Task Force initiated an investigation into the distribution of a form of methamphetamine referred to as ICE. As the investigation continued over the next several days, an undercover Task Force member made several purchases of ICE from numerous individuals, including Eric Harris. During the course of the transactions, Harris, a convicted felon, also advised he could provide for the sale of a sawed off shotgun and added he had access to other guns for sale. On April 2, 2015, Harris agreed to meet the task force member at 10 a.m. at the Dollar General parking lot located in the 2000 block of North Harvard Ave. in Tulsa, Oklahoma and sell him a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, along with three-hundred rounds of ammunition.
After the transaction took place, an arrest team of deputies approached the car to advise Harris he was under arrest and take him into custody. Before that could be accomplished, Harris exited the vehicle and confronted undercover deputies. As Harris fled northbound, into the southbound lanes of North Harvard Avenue, deputies observed him reaching for his waistband area near his hip, causing concern for the deputies’ safety.
After a brief foot pursuit, a deputy attempted to physically restrain Harris. As Harris continued to resist arrest, the struggle went to the ground where Harris refused to pull his left arm out from underneath his body where his hand was near his waistband. During the rapidly evolving altercation, the reserve deputy had what he believed was his Taser from his tactical carrier and attempted to render aid in subduing the suspect. Initial reports have determined that the reserve deputy was attempting to use less lethal force, believing he was utilizing a Taser, when he inadvertently discharged his service weapon, firing one round which struck Harris.
Harris continued to actively resist for a brief time before being subsequently subdued and handcuffed. EMSA was summoned immediately and first aid was rendered until Harris was transported to a local hospital. Preliminary information has revealed that Harris was possibly under the influence of Phencyclidine, a street drug commonly known as PCP, by his own admission to medical personnel at the scene. Harris was pronounced deceased at an area hospital. The medical examiner has yet to determine the cause of death.
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Investigators will continue to compile information and conduct interviews to determine a precise conclusion into yesterday’s event. The reserve deputy will be interviewed by investigators on Monday and, following the conclusion of the interview, the Sheriff’s Office will release his name. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office is classifying this situation as a tragic event.