Police arrest south Tulsa homeowner for shooting suspected burglar

TULSA, Okla. — Police said they arrested a south Tulsa homeowner for shooting a fleeing burglary suspect Monday.

Tulsa police said David Roland faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon after he followed a suspected burglar to his car and shot him.

David Roland (Tulsa County Inmate Information Center)

Police said around 3 a.m., officers were called to the shooting at a home near East 81st Street and South Harvard Avenue, where they found a man shot in the stomach lying in the grass. Police said Roland said he shot the man who he said was breaking into his house.

According to police, Roland said he heard a car driving down the street, and assumed it was a burglar because he said nobody drives through the neighborhood at that time unless it’s a thief.

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Roland told police he saw someone get out of a parked car around the corner, and Roland walked out of his house with a flashlight, a gun and cell phone. Police said Roland did not call 911.

Roland said he saw a man run from his driveway carrying items and yelled at the man to stop, but the man ran to his own vehicle about 50 yards away. Roland told police he chased the man, pointed his flashlight and gun at him, and demanded he show him his hands.

Roland said the man got out of the car and said, “You won’t shoot me.” Roland told him he would shoot him. The man took a step forward and Roland said he shot him in the stomach from about three feet away.

Police said they don’t think the shooting victim took anything from Roland, but believe he did break into a nearby car.

Police said they presented the evidence and facts of the case to the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office and it was determined that Roland discharged his firearm illegally. Police arrested Roland for assault with a deadly weapon.

Tulsa Police Capt. Richard Meulenberg told FOX23 that police anticipate charges being pressed against Roland for the shooting.

“This particular case, you have an individual at home who thinks there’s some nefarious activity going on outside his home and went to investigate,” Meulenberg said. “He chases the person down and engages with him.”

He continued, “By bringing the weapon with him, he escalated the situation.”

The shooting victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to be okay. Police said he will be arrested for burglary when he is released.

Meulenberg emphasized the importance of knowing the laws as a gun owner.

“It’s your responsibility to understand what you’re doing and the gravity of carrying a weapon is high,” he said. “You need to understand the nuances of what can happen when you do that.”