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Tulsa, Oklahoma, police officer Betty Shelby has been charged with felony manslaughter in the first degree, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler told reporters Thursday.
Shelby fatally shot 40-year-old Terence Crutcher after his SUV stopped in a roadway last week, CNN reports.
"We reviewed the facts of the allegations. It is our responsibility to determine if the filing of a criminal charge is justified under the law," Kurnzweiler said.
An arrest warrant was issued for Shelby and arrangements have been made for her surrender, he said. It was not clear when she would turn herself in.
The criminal complaint against Shelby said her "fear resulted in her unreasonable actions which led her to shooting" Crutcher. She is accused of "unlawfully and unnecessarily" shooting Crutcher after he did not comply with her "lawful orders."
Attorneys for Crutcher's family said they were "happy charges have been brought" against the officer and they will be seeking a "vigorous prosecution" of this case that results in a conviction.
The attorneys also expressed gratitude to the Tulsa Police Department.
"Today, we are thankful to TPD, we are thankful to (police) Chief (Chuck) Jordan for providing information to the District Attorney's office, and we are happy that charges were brought," attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons said during a news conference.
"This is a small victory," Crutcher's twin sister Tiffany told reporters.
"The chain breaks here. We're going to break the chains of police brutality," she added. "We know the history."
Shelby fatally shot 40-year-old Terence Crutcher after his SUV stopped in a roadway last week, CNN reports.
"We reviewed the facts of the allegations. It is our responsibility to determine if the filing of a criminal charge is justified under the law," Kurnzweiler said.
An arrest warrant was issued for Shelby and arrangements have been made for her surrender, he said. It was not clear when she would turn herself in.
The criminal complaint against Shelby said her "fear resulted in her unreasonable actions which led her to shooting" Crutcher. She is accused of "unlawfully and unnecessarily" shooting Crutcher after he did not comply with her "lawful orders."
Attorneys for Crutcher's family said they were "happy charges have been brought" against the officer and they will be seeking a "vigorous prosecution" of this case that results in a conviction.
The attorneys also expressed gratitude to the Tulsa Police Department.
"Today, we are thankful to TPD, we are thankful to (police) Chief (Chuck) Jordan for providing information to the District Attorney's office, and we are happy that charges were brought," attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons said during a news conference.
"This is a small victory," Crutcher's twin sister Tiffany told reporters.
"The chain breaks here. We're going to break the chains of police brutality," she added. "We know the history."