TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa police shot and killed Earl Barton Jr. after a high speed chase on August 9th.
Police said Barton ran from them after spike strips deflated his tires. Once police caught up to him, they said he pulled out a knife and an officer shot and killed him.
Barton's mother, Cherokee Huggins, said her son had a troubled past and battled with mental illness.
“I’ve told him time and time again, 'E.J., you just make it worse on yourself by running son,'” Huggins said.
Huggins said despite his past, her son should still be alive. Now, she wants to know exactly what happened.
Since Barton is a member of the Cherokee Nation, the case is being investigated by the FBI due to the McGirt ruling.
On July 9, the landmark case ruled that the majority of northeastern Oklahoma is still a Native American reservation, which changes the state's legal jurisdiction and law enforcement capabilities.
“Some changes need to be made. Really, some changes need to be made,” Huggins said.
Huggins said she just wants answers. “I want to know what happened to my son that night at 1:20 in the morning,” she said.
2 Works for You reached out to FBI for more information, they said this is an ongoing investigation and they do not comment on open investigations.
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