TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa mayor Monroe Nichols led a news conference inside City Hall on June 23 in response to multiple gun violence incidents that occurred over the previous week.
Nichols was joined by Tulsa City Councilors, Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen, and other local, state, and federal officials.
WATCH: City council to vote on possible curfew for minors in downtown Tulsa
Mayor Nichols addressed the series of shootings that occurred in Tulsa, including the deadly mass shooting the night of June 21 during Juneteenth celebrations in the historic Greenwood district.
- Previous Coverage >>> Tulsa police identify victim in Juneteenth celebration shooting
"To the community, I understand the anxiety brought on by these events," said Nichols, "but we are not going to let fear and the actions of a destructive criminal element erase the progress we are making as a city."
Nichols highlighted the concern about young people engaging in violent crime.
"Some of our youth don’t have what they need to make better choices," he said, and highlighted the recent creation of the Office of Children, Youth, and Families, which Nichols said would "help our city have a unified approach to improving outcomes for young people."
Nichols said he and the Tulsa City Council will discuss the emergency implementation of a curfew covering downtown Tulsa. The proposed curfew would apply to individuals under the age of 18 who are not accompanied by a parent, guardian, or able adult.
City councilor Karen Gilbert also discussed the curfew. She said it had been under discussion for several months including with downtown business owners, but recent events prompted them to expedite its consideration.
Gilbert called the curfew "one critical solution of many" and said additional discussion would be held to determine other solutions.
She said the council will discuss the ordinance Wednesday, and with emergency steps it could be signed and implemented by 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 26.
The councilor added that since the new ordinance might take effect without full public consideration, a sunset clause would be included for March 31, 2026 to ensure public discussion and full consideration at a later date.
Chief of Police Dennis Larsen reviewed the shootings that took place over the last few days, including at Crybaby Hill, the Bradford Apartments, a property in east Tulsa, and during the Juneteenth celebrations.
Chief Larsen, who confirmed to 2 News the shootings are believed to be gang related, said detectives were working around the clock to identify suspects. The chief said a new task force was being created, "focused on those bringing violence into our community."
Larsen said Tulsans would see an increased police presence at large gatherings going forward, and the department would work closely with families and community leaders to "keep youth from getting caught in dangerous situations."
"Together," Chief Larsen said, "we can effectively make Tulsa a safer city where everyone can feel secure."
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