OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma City police say an officer fatally shot a man who opened fire on officers as they investigated a report of an armed person who had a mental illness.
The shooting happened at about 11 p.m. Thursday. Police had initially said officers were responding to reports of a domestic disturbance.
Upon arrival, two officers found Tilford Barton, 30, armed and trying to hide behind a tree, police Capt. Dan Stewart said Friday.
“They (officers) were giving him commands so they could see him and the subject started shooting at the officers,” Stewart said.
“One of the officers returned fire and he struck and killed the subject” at the scene, he said.
Stewart said Sgt. Gerald Ritter III fatally shot Barton while the other officer, a trainee, did not open fire.
No officers were injured and Ritter is now on paid leave pending an investigation into the shooting, Stewart said.
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