A robbery attempt between two armed teenagers escalated into a shooting that left both youths injured Tuesday evening, according to Tulsa police.
Officers were first dispatched around 7:54 p.m. on May 27 to reports of a shooting outside a retail store near 71st Street and Memorial Drive. When they arrived, they found a 17-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. The teen was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Roughly 20 minutes later, emergency dispatchers received a second call involving another teenage gunshot victim. A 16-year-old male had reportedly arrived at a residence near 33rd Street and 138th East Avenue after being shot in the wrist. He was also taken to a hospital and is expected to recover.
As detectives investigated, they determined the two incidents were connected and stemmed from an attempted armed robbery earlier that evening.
According to investigators, the confrontation began in the parking lot of the 89 East Apartments in southeast Tulsa. Police allege the 16-year-old approached the 17-year-old while armed with a handgun and demanded his belongings. During the encounter, the intended victim reportedly drew his own firearm, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the two teenagers.
After the shooting, the 17-year-old drove to a nearby shopping center seeking assistance, while the 16-year-old left the area and later returned to his residence, where authorities were notified.
Police said the 16-year-old will be taken into custody and booked into the Community Intervention Center upon his release from the hospital. He is expected to face charges including armed robbery and shooting with intent to kill.
The case remains under investigation as detectives continue reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses. Authorities have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers and reference the assigned case number.
The incident has raised renewed concerns about youth violence and firearm access, as investigators work to determine the full sequence of events that led to the exchange of gunfire. Both teens are expected to survive their injuries.
