Betty Shelby, the officer responsible for killing 40-year-old Terence Crutcher as he stood with his hands in the air, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said Thursday. (Sept. 22)
BREAKING: Tulsa officer Betty Shelby charged with first-degree manslaughter in death of Terence Crutcher, DA says. https://t.co/rHGbAg7tK8
— ABC News (@ABC) September 22, 2016
Shelby, a white woman, was seen on footage captured from helicopter surveillance and police dashcam, shooting Crutcher, a black man, as he stood next to his SUV that stalled in the middle of the road in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The disturbing video has since gone viral and ignited outrage among many due to Shelby’s gross mishandling of the situation.
Attorney Scott Wood, who’s representing Shelby, told media outlets the 42-year-old officer has been on the force for five years and believed Crutcher was reaching for something inside his car. However Chief Chuck Jordan of the Tulsa Police Department dismissed Shelby’s assumption and publicly stated Cructher was unarmed. “I’m going to tell you right here and now: There was no gun on the suspect or in the suspect’s vehicle.”
Shortly after news of Shelby’s charge was announced, the Tulsa police department took to Facebook to state several protests had begun in the area.
Yet despite Shelby’s charge, many took to social media and expressed their doubt Crutcher and his family would receive justice.
Betty Shelby is charged with manslaughter. Let’s not celebrate until we see the terms of the sentence. Then we’ll call it justice.
— Tonya Hentz (@TonyaHentz) September 22, 2016
I’m actually holding my breath for the conviction of Betty Shelby, even after the stream of officers acquitted of murder before her.
— Thomas Hayes (@ThomHaye) September 22, 2016
Betty Shelby charged with first-degree manslaughter. Terence is still dead.
— RiskyLiberal (@RiskyLiberal) September 22, 2016
Can we stop calling it “paid administrative leave”? Betty Shelby’s on a murdercation. #TerenceCruthcher
— Adrienne Marie (@STINGRAYdrienne) September 20, 2016