Tulsa police officers have identified the man who was shot and killed by an officer on Saturday night.
Police say Juan Antonio Gonzalez was shot and killed after he appeared to be pointing a weapon at police.
Tulsa police identified the officer involved in that shooting as Officer Daniel Madewell. He's been with the force since August 2007.
Officers responded to a call around 11 p.m. about a suicidal man at the Coppermill Apartments near 71st and Yale in south Tulsa. The suspect was shot after he walked out onto the balcony and pointed what appeared to be a scoped rifle at officers.
"The officer feared for his life," said Tulsa Police Officer Leland Ashley. "Situations are rapidly evolving and there is a matter of seconds sometimes when an officer has to make a judgment or his or her life could be in danger."
Madewell is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Tulsa Police Department released this statement the night of the shooting:
"Officers arrived at the Coppermill Apartments, located at 7110 S. Granite Avenue, in reference to a suicidal subject. When officers arrived the caller told them his roommate had chased him out of their apartment with a knife. Officers attempted to contact the suspect to get him to surrender, but he refused. The suspect walked out onto the balcony of his apartment several times, but would then go back inside. Officers also observed flames in the kitchen area of the apartment. It is not known if the suspect was attempting to set the apartment on fire. At about 10:57 pm, the suspect walked onto the balcony once again. This time the suspect pointed a rifle at the officers. The rifle appeared to be authentic and had a scope attached. As the suspect pointed the weapon at the officers, one officer fired multiple rounds at the suspect, hitting him at least once. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. When officers approached the suspect it was discovered that the weapon was actually a BB gun.
This is the only information that is available at this time. The investigation is still ongoing.
Investigators are still attempting to verify the suspect’s identity. The name of the patrol officer involved has not been released. The officer will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation."
