Police in riot gear were called on to quash protests Friday after police shot and killed Joshue Barre, who was mentally ill and about to enter a convenience store armed with two knives, according to multiple media reports.
The reports say police in the mental health unit had been monitoring Barre, and made contact last week but determined he was not a danger to the community. They later intended to apprehend him and take him to treatment, but callers to 911 reported him threatening people with knives. Police say a stun gun had no effect and deadly force was then used.
Dozens of protesters gathered near the scene, some chanting, “Hands up, don’t shoot.”
Authorities say they are reviewing video from police car dashcams and store surveillance cameras.
The shooting comes just weeks after another white Tulsa police officer was acquitted in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man last year.
