TULSA - Local activists want answers. We The People Oklahoma calls Friday's shooting unjustified.
The organization is demanding change. They want answers from the Tulsa Police Department, starting with Officer Betty Shelby.
All of the signs outside the Tulsa County Courthouse Monday afternoon have the same message. They want peace, equality and something no one can give, Terence Crutcher's life back.
"After watching the video, I just sat there on my couch and just cried," We The People Oklahoma organizer Marq Lewis said.
SPECIAL SECTION: The fatal shooting of Terence Crutcher
More than fifty people gathered around to hear what the community activist group had to say. Everyone attending had the same purpose, justice for Crutcher.
"If you don't want to see justice in the world, then you're an enemy of mine," Nation of Islam member Jamal Ali said.
We The People Oklahoma is demanding the Tulsa Police Department put the woman who fatally shot the 40-year-old behind bars.
"We need accountability, we need transparency and we need it today," Lewis said. "Right now, we need for them to arrest Betty Shelby."
"Hands up, 20 feet away from the police and the dude in the helicopter saying he looks like a bad dude," Terence Crutcher's friend Tony Ball said. "I don't know how he looks like a bad dude from 150 feet up in the air."
The community activist group is calling for the case to not be handled by the local government, specifically the District Attorney's office. They're also calling for every officer to wear body cameras, which are currently not mandated.
"Officer Shelby, her dash cam suddenly didn't work, we hear that often," Lewis said.
This is the same group that petitioned a grand jury that led to the resignation of Tulsa's sheriff of nearly 30 years. They say they'll continue to fight Crutcher's honor, starting with those in black and blue.
"Racially biased policing, driving while black, driving while brown is a reality in Tulsa, Oklahoma," Former Tulsa Police Chief Drew Diamond said. "Any of you who say it's not, are white."
Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan wants the public to know that they will work to seek justice on behalf of Terence Crutcher's family.
