By Police1 Staff
TULSA, Okla. — Recently released body cam footage shows an officer fatally shooting a man who police said fired a gun at the LEO.
Tulsa World reports that the shooting occurred in a hotel parking lot on May 7 as officers were patrolling the area, which is known for drug trafficking and other criminal activity. Tulsa Police Department Gang Unit Officer Shawn Hickey questioned a man outside a first-floor room while Officer Chris Beyerl, also a part of the unit, tried to speak to a passenger in an SUV.
A backseat passenger got out of the SUV and walked away as Beyerl approached the vehicle, according to KOKI. When the front seat passenger, identified as 26-year-old Albert Odom, didn’t roll down his window, Beyerl went to the driver’s side and saw a gun pointed at him.
Beyerl then fired multiple rounds from his service weapon at Odom, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police also said Odom fired at Beyerl before being shot.
A police spokeswoman said the officers initially approached the men only to have a conversation with them.
The two other occupants of the vehicle fled and were later taken into custody. Investigators said they found a loaded magazine in the vehicle and a gun in the suspect’s hand.
Both officers are on paid administrative leave, per policy, as the shooting is investigated, according to KOTV.