A Man Wielding a Knife is Allegedly Fatally Shot by a Police Officer in Oklahoma City
On Sunday, February 25, 2018, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a police officer with the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to an 11:10 p.m. call about a vagrant asking for money at a Courtyard Marriott. The suspect was 25-year-old Haydon Taylor, an African American. The officer located the suspect on the third floor, and he says Taylor pulled out a knife and confronted him with it. The police officer gave verbal commands, instructing Taylor to put down the knife. According to officials, Taylor failed to comply and walked in the officer’s direction while still holding the knife. The police officer allegedly discharged his firearm, striking Taylor. Medical assistance was provided, and emergency medical services went to the scene. Taylor died from his injuries after being transported to a nearby hospital by paramedics. The officer, who was not injured, is now on paid administrative leave while an investigation into the incident is conducted. He was wearing a body camera and had it on during the incident. Video of the alleged fatal police-involved shooting has not yet been released.
Captain Bo Mathew of the Oklahoma City Police Department commented on the fact that there have been four officer-involved shootings already this year. He said there was a total of eight shootings involving police officers in all of 2017. Mathew said officers in Oklahoma City encounter thousands of citizens and that police shootings are rare. He also said he doesn’t know why there is more aggression toward police officers across the nation.
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