Family members and Tulsa neighbors gathered Wednesday evening at 51st Street and Sheridan Road, holding handmade signs and demanding answers days after a 33 year old autistic man was fatally shot by Tulsa police during a mental health crisis response.
On Feb. 8, officers responded around 4:30 p.m. to a report of a man with a gun near the same intersection. Authorities identified the man as Michael Glunt. Police said an officer attempted to make contact and fired after Glunt pointed a revolver at the officer. Officers provided medical aid until emergency personnel arrived. Glunt was pronounced dead at the scene. The officer involved was placed on administrative leave.
Family members said they contacted police to alert them that Glunt was in crisis and had gained access to a firearm. Soon after TPD arrived to the scene, the officers fatally shot him.
Michael’s sister, Karmen Glunt, wrote in a GoFundMe statement that Michael was on the autism spectrum, lived with PTSD and had struggled with his mental health for years despite medication adjustments and therapy. Relatives have questioned whether the situation was handled as a mental health emergency and have called for the release of body worn and dash camera footage.
Karmen Glunt shared she was told the video could take months to obtain and could cost the family thousands of dollars due to redaction requirements.
Karmen Glunt said she is not seeking to blame anyone but is asking for full transparency so an incident like this does not happen to another person going through a mental health crisis. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been created to assist the family during this difficult time. A link to the fundraiser can be found in the comments.
