Oklahoma Man Shoots Two Officers During Traffic Stop, Arrested

A man accused of shooting at least two deputies in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while they were conducting a traffic stop was arrested Monday (June 29).

Around 4:30 a.m. EDT Monday, deputies with the Tulsa Police Department pulled over David Anthony Ware, 32, because the inspection tag on his vehicle, a 2007 Chevy Cobalt, expired in April, Tulsa World reported, citing court documents.

When officers made efforts to remove him from the vehicle to tow it, he resisted and said the officers were “violating his rights.”

Ware then drew a gun from under his seat and fired at least three rounds each at two officers, striking them in the head at least once. After that, Ware fled the scene in a red SUV.

Officers were able to locate Ware in a house later in the day, the department said in a statement. The man surrendered when police surrounded the house and he was arrested.

Deputies had earlier issued a warning to people in the area and said if Ware was willing to shoot at law enforcement, “he is likely willing to shoot at anyone.” Police described Ware as “armed and dangerous,” and asked residents to be watchful.

Police also tracked down the driver of the red SUV, Matt Hall, 29, and arrested him Monday afternoon.

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin identified the injured officers as Craig Johnson, a sergeant, and Aurash Zarkeshan, who joined the department only seven weeks back after graduating from the police academy in May. They were reported to be in critical condition with head and torso wounds. They were undergoing surgery.

Mayor G.T. Bynum thanked the public for providing tips that led to Ware’s arrest. "Please continue to pray for our officers, their families, and the health care professionals working to save the officers’ live," he said in a tweet.

Ware is now facing two counts of shooting with intent to kill and a felony firearm charge.