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Random highway shooting raises copycat concern

Posted at 6:47 PM, Sep 22, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-22 19:47:29-04

Sharky's is a happening billiards bar that sits in the heart of Brookside.

The general manager, Mike Smith, says Monday night was no different than any other.

"Nothing was out of the ordinary, looked like everybody was having a good time," said Smith.

Among the crowd was a birthday party. Police say sometime around 10 p.m. two of the party attendees called a friend.

"Basically, did the right thing, felt like maybe (they) had a little too much to drink, called someone to pick them up," said Officer Leland Ashley with the Tulsa Police Department.

The driver headed west on I-44 and when they were past the Arkansas River bridge they heard a popping sound. The victim, riding in the back seat, got home before he realized he'd been shot twice.

"In all probability the vehicle actually slowed the bullet down before it entered the victim that's possibly why he didn't notice that he had been shot," said Ashley.

The injuries are not life-threatening. Ashley said the situation could have been much worse.

He said the shooting appeared random and that's a big concern, especially on the heels of the highway shootings in Phoenix. Police fear there could be copycat shooters.

"I think a lot of people are fearful. I've talked about it myself. You're driving along the road, highway and someone just starts shooting at your vehicle for whatever reason," said Ashley.

Smith hopes the shooter is caught and fears are put to rest.

"I don't think what happened last night should be a deterrent for anybody to go out and enjoy themselves and enjoy Brookside and enjoy what Tulsa has to offer," said Smith.

There's no real suspect description. Witnesses say they saw a Maroon Camry exist onto Highway 75 off of I-44 but that may not be related to the shooting.

If you have any information you're asked to call police.

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