TULSA, Okla. — A man is dead after a mental health crisis quickly turned into a hostage situation at a local gas station.
"I still don't even know how to feel about it, it doesn't even seem real right now," Jeremy Holbrook said.
Holbrook is still in shock after what happened when he went to the Quiktrip at 31st and Sheridan Thursday afternoon.
He got caught in the middle of police trying to help a man having a mental health crisis.
“We’re going from trying to help someone with a crisis, to now we need to rescue a hostage," Captain Richard Meulenberg with Tulsa Police said.
TPD responded to the call of a suicidal man at the Quiktrip at 31st and Sheridan Rd.
We were told on the radio that he had already cut his wrist," Meulenberg said.
When officers arrived, they found the man inside the gas station. They said he was walking around the store with a knife trying to hurt himself. As TPD officers de-escalated the situation, the man eventually left the store. Officers then followed him outside to continue trying to calm him down.
Police said during those de-escalation efforts, Holbrook walked up with his bike and was taken hostage by the suspect.
“I thought they were shooting at me at first, I didn’t know what was going on, I don’t know," Holbrook said.
Holbrook is grateful officers were able to save his life.
“I was just walking, talking to a buddy when he ran up on me and um...man, I don’t know. I’m glad they reacted the way that they did, or it could have been bad for me you know,” Holbrook said.
Police said the suspect was taken to the hospital, where he died from the injuries.
“Officers had very little choice. We went into a hostage rescue mode. We had to close the gap very quickly. One officer discharged we believe to rounds, we are still unpacking this right now,” Meulenberg said.
While police continue their investigation, the officer has been placed on administrative leave.
Investigators spent several hours gathering as much evidence as possible.
They are anticipating evidence from the store surveillance, body cams, and witnesses.
2 News will update as we learn more.
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