TULSA, Okla. — Two Tulsa police offices are in critical condition after an early morning shooting in east Tulsa.
READ MORE: "Here in Tulsa, we are going to have to pray," says Chief Franklin after 2 officers shot
Officer Aurash Zarkeshan, who has been on the job for less than two months, and Mingo Division Supervisor Sergeant Craig Johnson were each shot.
A Facebook post from Officer Zarkeshan's brother says he underwent surgery and is stable.
Early last night my brother & his supervising officer were shot multiple times while on duty making a traffic stop in Tulsa. All I can ask for is prayers for my brother & his supervisor. He is out of surgery and stable but he is not out of the woods yet. I have never experienced these emotions before, but please just keep him in your prayers. Thank you to Tulsa PD for treating us like family & for everyone who has reached out. I love you bro.
Mayor G.T. Bynum also addressed this incident on Facebook.
The City of Tulsa was founded in 1898 and, for decades to come, today will he remembered as one of its hardest days. I spent almost all of it in hospital rooms with the family, friends, and fellow officers of Sergeant Craig Johnson and Officer Aurash Zarkeshan.
There’s not anything I can type here that can describe the pain of this day. It is devastating to see the price paid by those who love our protectors.
But today was also a reminder of how extraordinary the people who choose to serve Tulsa as police officers really are.
They come from selfless families - hopeful families, who kept inquiring about the condition of the other officer throughout the day.
They chose this vocation because they wanted to serve our city. One has for years, literally illuminating Tulsa through his work to end the multi-million dollar theft of highway light wiring, while the other is just starting out in a career he’s dreamed about as long as his friends can remember.
They both have so much ahead of them. But tonight, they are fighting for their lives. And they are in those hospital beds because they were protecting us.
I’m grateful for all the people who have asked how you can help. The page below offers one way. Please let their families and their fellow officers know how much each of these men mean to our city.
If you see an officer around town, please tell them how much you appreciate them.
And as a city of faith, please pray for healing - for Sergeant Johnson and Officer Zarkeshan, and for the city that owes them so much.
The suspect, David Anthony Ware is being held in special housing. His first court hearing took place Tuesday morning.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
