Autopsy: Tulsa man fatally shot in OIS had PCP in system when he died

Oklahoma’s medical examiner says Terence Crutcher, who was fatally shot by a Tulsa officer last month, had the hallucinogenic drug PCP in his system when he died

October 11, 2016 04:01 PM

In this image made from a Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 police video, Terence Crutcher, center, is pursued by police officers as he walk to an SUV in Tulsa, Okla.

By Justin Juozapavicius
Associated Press

TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma’s medical examiner says an unarmed man shot dead by a Tulsa police officer last month had the hallucinogenic drug PCP in his system when he died.

Terence Crutcher was shot Sept. 16 after his car broke down on a Tulsa street. Officer Betty Jo Shelby was charged with first-degree manslaughter after his death, with a prosecutor saying she reacted unreasonably after Crutcher disobeyed her commands.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Tuesday the 40-year-old suffered a “penetrating gunshot wound of chest.” An autopsy noted that both of Crutcher’s lungs were pierced and that he had four broken ribs.

An autopsy report said Crutcher’s blood tested positive for phencyclidine, also known as PCP or Angel Dust. Medical literature says it can induce euphoria and feelings of omnipotence.

Officer-Involved Shootings