Police seek man in fatal fireworks robbery

TULSA — Authorities are hoping to find a man believed to be involved in the robbery of a fireworks stand during which a 15-year-old accomplice was shot and killed.

The Tulsa County sheriff’s office on Wednesday afternoon identified 27-year-old Jack Leeray Ulrich, a relative of the teen, as a person of interest in the shooting. Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Casey Roebuck said detectives want to speak with Ulrich to hear his version of what happened.

“We would very much like to locate him and talk with him,” Roebuck said.

Two suspects allegedly targeted the fireworks stand near 65th West Avenue and Charles Page Boulevard about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. A son of the stand’s operator shot Jake Ulrich, 15, while the teen and another man — believed to be Jack Ulrich — were robbing the stand of fireworks, Roebuck said.

Johnny Mize Sr., the stand operator, said he saw the backside of two people placing a large box of fireworks in the bed of a pickup and heard a shot fired. Mize said his son fired a single shot in return.

Roebuck said detectives had not yet determined who fired first. Witnesses told investigators that the two suspects were armed and that “shots were exchanged,” she said.

Mize Sr. said he attempted to jump in the pickup as it fled, but he was thrown to the ground. He said his son was able to jump in the pickup bed, and he shot out a tire in an attempt to disable the vehicle.

The truck was found abandoned a short time later in the 6500 block of West Edison Street with Jake Ulrich slumped over inside the cab.

The Tulsa County district attorney will determine what charges will be filed in the case and against whom, Roebuck said.

Anyone with information about the robbery is encouraged to contact the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office at 918-596-5601.