Manslaughter charges filed against cop in Tulsa shooting

Betty Shelby, the Tulsa police officer who shot an unarmed Terence Crutcher, whose hands were raised in the air, has been charged with manslaughter. Local Fox affiliate Channel 23 says that a warrant was issued for Shelby’s arrest by the Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiller, and that she is making arrangements with her attorney to turn herself in.

Footage of the September 16th shooting was released on Monday morning showing Crutcher’s disabled vehicle on a highway. Shelby and another officer were en route to a domestic violence call when they came upon the vehicle; Crutcher was on the side of the road and began walking in the direction of the officers and the vehicle. Footage from a helicopter overhead and the dash camera of a back-up vehicle showed Crutcher with his hands raised as another officer and Shelby follow Crutcher to the vehicle. Crutcher walks to the driver’s side of the vehicle where he is stunned by one officer and fatally shot by Shelby.

Tulsa World reporter Samantha Vicent, who is following the case, says the district attorney contends that Shelby “acted unreasonably” by overreacting and escalating the situation.