breaking: Tulsa Police Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting
- mike33692
- May 12
- 2 min read
Tulsa Police Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting
The Tulsa Police officer-involved shooting investigation continues Tuesday morning after a deadly chain of events near 36th Street North and North Hartford Avenue ended with officers shooting and killing a suspect near Walt Whitman Elementary School.
According to Tulsa Police, the incident began as a domestic shooting inside a vehicle before escalating into a rollover crash and large police search near the school campus.
Investigators identified the suspect as 51-year-old Mitchell D. Folsom, who police say was recently released from prison.
The developing Tulsa Police officer-involved shooting case prompted schools in the area to enter secure status while officers searched for the armed suspect.
Tulsa Police Officer-Involved Shooting Followed Crash
According to TPD Captain Richard Meulenberg, Folsom was arguing with the driver of a vehicle while traveling near North Hartford Avenue.
Police say Folsom allegedly fired a gun inside the vehicle during the argument.
Investigators said the driver lost control, swerved off the roadway, then struck another vehicle, causing a rollover crash.
Authorities say Folsom then exited the vehicle, pointed a gun at the driver of the overturned vehicle, and fled the scene on foot.
The escalating situation eventually led officers toward the area surrounding Walt Whitman Elementary School.
Tulsa Police Search Led to Pond Near School
The Tulsa Police officer-involved shooting later unfolded near a pond behind Walt Whitman Elementary School.
Police deployed drone units and K-9 teams while officers searched the area for Folsom.
According to investigators, officers located Folsom inside a pond and repeatedly ordered him to surrender.
Police say Folsom was slowly complying but failed to show both hands before allegedly creating what officers described as a threat.
Officers then opened fire, striking Folsom.
Investigators say Folsom went underwater after the shooting, leading police and emergency crews to conduct a recovery operation.
Schools Remained Safe During Tulsa Police Investigation
Tulsa Public Schools confirmed both Walt Whitman Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary were placed on secure status during the incident.
School officials emphasized there was never an internal threat to students or staff inside either building.
According to Tulsa Public Schools, campus police coordinated directly with Tulsa Police throughout the incident.
Police say no officers, students, or school staff members were injured during the Tulsa Police officer-involved shooting investigation.
Authorities continue searching the nearby creek area for the weapon allegedly used during the incident.
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