Suspect captured after 2 Tulsa police officers shot, critically wounded

UPDATE: Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin asked Monday afternoon for community support as two of his officers fight for their lives – shot in the line of duty during an overnight traffic stop.

“I’m imploring you, I’m asking (you), to pray,” Franklin said. “And I’m also asking for each and every one of you to take steps to support first responders, support your law enforcement, support all of those doing the jobs that you don’t want to do.”

The officers who were shot and critically wounded were identified as Sgt. Craig Johnson and Officer Aurash Zarkeshan.

Johnson has been part of the department since 2005 and was assigned to the Mingo Valley Division as a graveyard supervisor.

Mayor G.T. Bynum said Johnson has two boys.

Zarkeshan was a new officer, just completing his training last month.

“He was out on patrol on his own for less than six weeks,” the chief said.

Franklin said the shooting suspect, David Ware, got away with the help of an accomplice, who was found and arrested in Broken Arrow. That man has been identified as 29-year-old Matt Hall.

“This hits home, and it hits home pretty hard for us in law enforcement,” the chief said.

He pleaded for compassion and unity from the community.

“I stand before you today, with two officers that are fighting for their lives. We need this community to come together,” Franklin said. “It’s not just Tulsa. As a nation. Because we won’t have what we have without the presence of law enforcement. Law enforcement is ingrained in this culture and has to be.”

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UPDATE: An arrest affidavit released by the District Attorney's Office provides new details of the events that led up to the shooting of two Tulsa police officers.

According to the affidavit, 32-year-old David Ware was pulled over around 3:20 a.m. near 21st and Memorial in a 2007 Chevy Cobalt with expired paper tags.

The officers' body camera videos reveal Ware argued with police when they told him they would have to tow the vehicle. Ware refused to get out of the car and began arguing with the two officers, saying they were violating his rights.

The argument with Ware escalated, lasting approximately three minutes before one officer attempted to tase him, but Ware tore out the taser prongs and continued arguing. The officer again attempted to deescalate the situation by using pepper spray on Ware, but he continued to refuse to get out of the car, according to the affidavit.

Both officers then tried to pull Ware from the vehicle, but he fought them and grabbed a gun from under his seat before firing on the two officers. Ware shot at each officer several times, according to the arrest affidavit.

After both officers were down, Ware stepped out of the vehicle and stood over one of them and fired three more shots. He then fled the scene and got into a red Jeep SUV.

The Police Department said one of the officers is unlikely to survive, and the other is "unstable," according to the affidavit.

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UPDATE: Tulsa police say David Ware is in custody.

Ware, the man suspected of shooting and critically wounding two officers, was captured in the area of 31st and Garnett.

Gov. Kevin Stitt released the following statement regarding the two officers who were shot this morning:

I ask Oklahomans to join the First Lady and me in praying for the officers who were injured, their families and the Tulsa Police Department. This senseless attack is a reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face daily.

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UPDATE: Police have confirmed the two officers are in critical condition.

They have identified the shooting suspect as David Anthony Ware. He is considered armed and dangerous.

If you have any information about his whereabouts please call 911 or (918) 596-2627.

Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police Chairman of the Board Jerad Lindsey issued the following statement about the shooting:

Last evening two of our FOP brothers left their families, reported for duty, and were serving and protecting Tulsa when they were shot in cold blood. We are praying for them as they receive the best possible treatment they can under the circumstances. At this moment the suspect is on the loose. We ask Tulsa residents to be cautious as we attempt to make an apprehension as a first step towards facing justice for these terrible acts of violence. As I've spoken with police overnight and into this morning, we can't help but see the work of the national anti-police narrative here. Enough is enough. For these officers and for everyone else on the force leaving their own families today to go selflessly serve others, we must recognize the real impact of anti-police rhetoric and take real action to stop violence against police.

The previous story is below.

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TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Two Tulsa police officers were shot early Monday morning during a traffic stop at 21st near Interstate 44.

The officers were taken to local hospitals. Their condition is unknown at this time.

The Tulsa Police Department says the suspect is at large, and they are searching the area.