TULSA - More information has come to light about the man, Terence Crutcher,whose name was shared across social media platforms and mentioned during several press conferences on Monday.
Crutcher, 40, was fatally shot by Tulsa police officer Betty Shelby Friday night. He had left his vehicle unattended near 36th Street North and Lewis Avenue and was later confronted by police.
SPECIAL SECTION: The fatal shooting of Terence Crutcher
The two witnesses in the audio recordings described the vehicle “in the middle of the road” and “blocking traffic.”
On Monday, a press conference was held and, according to the Tulsa Police Department, Crutcher refused to comply with orders to put his hands in the air. There is a picture, however, of Crutcher with his hands in the air.
Court records show Terence Crutcher has been convicted of drug trafficking, obstructing an officer, resisting an officer and petty larceny in the past. The documents also show that Crutcher has several alcohol and vehicle-related charges, including driving with a suspended license.
Crutcher’s twin sister, Tiffany Crutcher, spoke this week as well saying that her brother “had more friends than anyone knew.”
Terence was shot just one month after the twin’s 40th birthday and, now, says Tiffany, she’ll have to spend the once shared day alone.
“I just feel like I’m in a nightmare, really. I just want to wake up and this all be over tomorrow,” said Tiffany Crutcher.
Tiffany went on to say that anyone who knew Terence, knows he was a great guy.
"He had more friends than anyone I knew. He loved to cook and and his passion was singing, he loved to sing."
Terence Crutcher was pursuing his passion for singing at Tulsa Community College, says Tiffany Crutcher.
"I got his last text message, that I'm going to keep forever and it was like 'I love you, and I'm gonna make you proud' and vice versa."
Investigators claim that Crutcher was shot after attempting to reach inside his vehicle, but his family does not believe that is what happened.
"We saw that Terence was not being belligerent. We did not see Terence reach into the car. We did not see Terence attacking the officers," said Attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons.
Now, local and federal agencies are launching joint investigations into the Crutcher’s fatal shooting.
The local group, We the People Oklahoma, also spoke on Monday regarding Crutcher saying that Officer Shelby needs to be arrested and the Tulsa Police Department needs to be held accountable.
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