This is more than 10 years old.

Oklahoma deputy charged in suspect’s shooting death

In this screen shot from April 2, 2015 video provided by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, police restrain 44-year-old Eric Harris after he was chased down and tackled by a Tulsa County Deputy, and then shot by a reserve sheriff's deputy while in custody, in Tulsa, Okla. The sheriff's office said 73-year-old reserve deputy Robert Charles Bates fired the shot that killed Harris, believing he was using his stun gun instead of his service weapon when he opened fire. (AP Photo/Tulsa County Sheriff's Office) — In this screen shot from April 2, 2015 video provided by the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, police restrain 44-year-old Eric Harris after he was chased down and tackled by a Tulsa County Deputy, and then shot by a reserve sheriff’s … In this screen shot from April … more >

By Associated Press - Monday, April 13, 2015

TULSA, Okla. — Prosecutors have charged a white reserve sheriff’s deputy in Oklahoma with manslaughter in the shooting of a black suspect.

A second-degree manslaughter charge was filed Monday against 73-year-old Tulsa County reserve deputy Robert Bates.

Police have said Bates thought he was holding a stun gun, not his handgun, when he fired at 44-year-old Eric Harris in the April 2 incident.

A man can be heard apologizing and admitting to shooting a person in a video that documents the killing.

Copyright © 2025 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Latest Video