TULSA, Okla. – What began as a volatile domestic disturbance in Tulsa ended in what many are calling “accidental justice,” after a man chasing his significant other with a firearm shot himself in the face late Monday morning.
Just before 10 a.m., officers with the Tulsa Police Department were dispatched to the area of Pine and Lewis for reports of a shooting. Firefighters with the Tulsa Fire Department and paramedics with EMSA also responded to the scene.
When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his face. Police immediately began rendering life-saving aid until firefighters and EMSA personnel took over. The man was then transported to a Tulsa hospital in critical condition.
Disturbance Turns Chaotic
According to investigators, the incident began when the man spotted his significant other as she visited a nearby business. Despite a protective order prohibiting contact, he confronted her, sparking a disturbance. Witnesses reported that he pulled out a firearm and began chasing her around the area.
During the chase, in what police later described as a careless and reckless handling of the weapon, the suspect discharged the firearm — striking himself in the face.
As one officer on scene put it, the man’s “booger picker on the bang-bang switch” led to a painfully ironic outcome: a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Attempted Escape
Even after shooting himself, the man attempted to leave the area as officers arrived. However, he quickly surrendered in order to receive urgent medical care.
Tulsa Police confirmed the incident remains under active investigation and is being treated as criminal activity despite the self-inflicted nature of the injury. Possible charges are expected related to the violation of a protective order and the reckless use of a firearm.
Community Reaction
While the seriousness of the situation cannot be overlooked, the bizarre circumstances have already drawn attention online under the hashtag #boogerBang, a reference to the suspect’s negligent handling of the firearm.
Police emphasized that the outcome could have been far worse had the suspect succeeded in his pursuit of the victim. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.
“Our thoughts are with those impacted by this traumatic incident,” officials said. “We are grateful that no innocent bystanders were hurt, and that the victim was able to escape without physical injury.”
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities said further details, including potential charges, will be released in the coming days.
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