Tragedy in Tulsa

For the second time in less than two years, the focus of the Tulsa community and the nation is on the shooting of a black man by a local white law officer.

Terence Crutcher was fatally shot Sept. 16 by Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby near 36th Street North and Lewis Avenue. Crutcher’s SUV was stalled in the street. He was unarmed, but according to police statements was refusing to obey orders from police.

These are perilous times for such a tragedy. Elsewhere, indignation sparked by deadly encounters between black men and white police has led to terrible consequences. The natural emotions of the latest shooting are magnified by that national environment.

After a Monday news conference, Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan released police dash-cam and helicopter video of the shooting, calling it “very disturbing.” We agree, but otherwise do as we advise others and reserve judgment.

At the same news conference, Jordan, Mayor Dewey Bartlett, District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler, U.S. Attorney Danny Williams and City Councilor Jack Henderson had words of solace for the Crutcher family, pleas for peace and promises of justice.

The Crutcher family has understandably reacted strongly to the loss of a loved one, but also has urged that protests be peaceful.

We hope that recent history will have earned the decision-makers in this critical case — especially Kunzweiler and Williams — the time they need to do their jobs.

Kunzweiler showed his independence and his wisdom in 2014, the last time we faced the case of a white officer shooting a black man. Despite a sheriff’s office recommendation against criminal action, Kunzweiler’s office charged and convicted reserve Deputy Robert Bates of second-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Eric Harris.

In 2012, Jordan and Bartlett responded strongly and quickly to a string of hate crime shootings targeting black Tulsans — the so-called Good Friday shootings. The police arrested Alvin Lee Watts and Jacob Carl England, who were sentenced to life without parole.

We have not forgotten that Tulsa also has some difficult history to deal with — the lawless 1921 race riot that left untold numbers of innocent black people dead.

We pray that our community’s self-interest and the memory of the recent history of reliable justice in critical situations will give officials the time they need to act fairly on the evidence and in accordance with the law.