Tulsa, OK- Police call it the "NO SNITCH Culture" and they say it's preventing them from solving one of the city's latest homicides.
Police questioned several people Tuesday who were inside a north Tulsa home where an 18-year-old was shot to death at about 12:30 a.m. But, none of the witnesses would talk.
"My son was not a gang banger," said Jason Trent, II. "There are people that know who did this but they just won't come out and say it."
Trent can't believe several people witnessed the shooting death of his son, Jason Trent, III and are saying nothing.
"I heard the gunshots," said Trent. "The thing that's just really wild is that they know who it is."
Tulsa Police questioned and released three people in connection to the crime that happened at 4118 N. Garrison Pl.
Police say those witnesses lack of cooperation is just another example of the "NO SNITCH Culture."
"For whatever reason, the no snitching, don't talk to police, that takes a greater value as opposed to telling the truth," said Leland Ashley, Public Information Officer with the Tulsa Police Dept.
It's a problem, police say, they've just started seeing over the last couple of years- witnesses to crimes who, for whatever reason, don't want to help police.
"Always think, there's always a possibility that maybe one day you could be a victim, or one of your family members can be a victim," said Ashley.
Trent knows the feeling.
Now, he'll have to his remember his son, who was just about to graduate high school, through scrapbook pictures.
He says all he wants now- is closure.
"Come out and stop being cowards," said Trent. "Drop that snitch."
While he waits for a witness to come forward, he's putting his energy into making his community a better place.
Trent hopes that with the help of his church he will turn an old north Tulsa grocery store into the Generation of Destiny community center so, families won't have to experience the kind of painful loss he has. The church is now waiting on the city to issue a city-block grant that was promised in November.
