The off-duty deputy was unhurt, while the man was hospitalized with serious injuries after the Monday afternoon shooting.
TULSA, OK — A Tulsa County sheriff’s deputy exchanged gunfire with a man Monday afternoon near East 41st Street and South Sheridan Road after stopping to check on the man as he moved in and out of traffic, authorities said.
The shooting happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. Sept. 21 along a busy stretch of 41st Street. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office said the deputy, who was off duty and driving home, noticed the man walking in active traffic and appearing to conceal something beneath his clothing. The deputy stopped to conduct a pedestrian check, and authorities said the encounter escalated within seconds when the man produced a firearm.
Casey Roebuck, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, said investigators found shell casings believed to have come from the man’s gun and confirmed that the deputy also fired his weapon. The deputy was not injured. The man was struck and taken by ambulance to a hospital, where authorities described his injuries as serious. His name and updated medical condition had not been released as of early Tuesday.
The confrontation prompted an emergency call that brought first responders and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies to the area. Authorities shut down East 41st Street between South Sheridan Road and Interstate 44 while officers secured the scene, collected evidence and began interviewing witnesses. No bystanders were reported injured.
Roebuck said the deputy initially appeared to be concerned that the man could be struck by traffic. Investigators said the deputy also noticed what appeared to be an object concealed under the man’s shirt before stopping. Authorities have not released additional details about what happened immediately before the gunfire or how many shots were fired by each person.
People working near the scene told local news outlets they heard gunfire during the confrontation. Detectives remained in the area Monday afternoon speaking with witnesses and checking nearby businesses for surveillance video that could help investigators establish a more complete sequence of events.
The shooting occurred during the lunch hour in a commercial area with businesses and traffic nearby. Officials at Bishop Kelley High School, located in the surrounding area, said students and staff remained safe during the law enforcement response. Authorities said there were no reported injuries to other deputies or members of the public.
The sheriff’s office placed the deputy on paid administrative leave following the shooting, a standard procedure after a deputy-involved use of force. Authorities had not publicly identified the deputy as of early Tuesday.
East 41st Street later reopened after investigators completed their initial work at the scene. The investigation remained active, and officials had not announced whether additional information, including the identities of those involved or the man’s current condition, would be released Tuesday.
Author note: Last updated September 22, 2026.